History Browser

A slide show presentation of Native American dress from the 16th to mid-18th century.

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

The archeological research project currently underway at the Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux National Historic Site of Canada began in June 2005. The final exploratory campaign was conducted in the summer of 2007. The three digs confirmed the site’s historical significance. Many architectural remains were excavated:

Military men such as this French officer of circa 1635 wore civilian clothes. The arms they carried denoted their ‘profession of arms’. Early probate records show that soldiers in New France did the same and wore civilian clothes while carrying arms and military equipment. Officers in Canada were usually armed with swords and pistols.

The penalty for desertion was either death or being sentenced to the galleys. Official policy varied from one to the other several times between 1635 and 1760. In some cases, however, clemency was shown, and the culprits returned to their units.

During the 18th century, the British colonies in what is now Atlantic Canada were very different from their counterparts further south in New England. The northern colonies had a strong military presence, relatively small civilian populations, and no strong militia.