St. Ignace in Mackinac County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Two Cultures Meet
Photographed By Joel Seewald, August 18, 2019
1. Two Cultures Meet Marker
French traders established themselves in the Upper Great Lakes region after 1644 and were welcome among the Indians. They sought harmony with the native people, learning their language and respecting their customs.
The French adopted useful Indian products like snowshoes and canoes. At the same time, European trade goods slowly replaced traditional Indian wares. Cotton and wool supplanted buckskin and European glass beads replaced beads made of shell and bone.
Stone arrowheads gave way to iron arrowheads and eventually guns began to replace the bow and arrow altogether. To obtain such European trade goods, Indians traded furs to the French and began to function increasingly as trappers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1644.
Location. 45° 52.248′ N, 84° 43.821′ W. Marker is in St. Ignace, Michigan, in Mackinac County. Marker can be reached from North State Street (Business Interstate 75). Marker is on the Huron Boardwalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 499 North State Street, Saint Ignace MI 49781, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Structures of Local Native Americans in the 1600's (within shouting distance of this marker); Commercial Fishing (within shouting
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Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 11 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 13, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
