History Browser

In the early years of the 11th century, the first Europeans to set foot in North America arrived on the shores of modern day L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. These Scandinavians, collectively known as the Norse, had travelled west from their colonies in Iceland and Greenland. They had not come to raid, but to cut timber, hunt and explore the unknown wilderness they called Vinland.

Based on Viking accounts, the Skraelings were courageous and effective warriors. Their tactics have a lot in common with other Amerindian cultures.

As early as 1000 CE, encounters between Europeans and First Peoples often led to violence.

This history on our Aboriginal Peoples and their contribution to Canada’s rich military heritage is the latest in a series of books prepared by the Director of History and Heritage commemorating especial military experience. Authors : P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Ph.D., R. Scott Sheffield, Ph.D., John Moses, Maxime Gohier

A list of the most important military engagements, both inside and outside Canada, that had an effect on the country.

The first North American warriors met by Europeans were the people the Vikings called the Skraelings.

The early accounts of Viking discoveries, including their discovery of North America, come to us from the sagas ; ancient Norse stories that were told by word of mouth for many years, and later written down for future generations to read. (The earliest written version of the sagas dates back to the twelfth century.) The beginning of the Vikings' movement westward toward North America can be traced by reading in the Sagas of the sea voyages of Erik the Red and Bjarni Herjolfsson.

The first armed European incursion into Canada was driven off by the native population. The Vikings felt the land, although good, was not worth a life dominated by battle and fear.

A Viking colony led by Karlsefni was soon abandoned after conflict with the Skraelings

The Viking attempt to settle in North America was part of a westward drive from Scandinavia that had already settled Iceland and Greenland.