Aspects of the Natives' Instrumentalization by the Colonial Authorities under the French Regime

Saliha Belmessous

According to a deep-rooted historiographic myth, the French colonizers' attitudes about Amerindians were positive. Yet, in fact they depicted Natives as "Savages," sociologically and culturally inferior to Europeans. Since they were regarded as a negligible category, they were dispossessed of their territory. And as they were economic and political partners indispensable to Canada's development, officials considered them from the perspective of their colonial interests. This utilitarian vision was applied in reality as well as in speeches. The French aimed at depriving Natives of their labor and combat force. Therefore they aimed at exploiting them as well as appropriating figures of "Savages," and distorting their identity for political and intellectual purposes.

[WP #97022]