Uncovered Ancient Slavery of Indigenous Children in New France through Recent Research
In the heart of modern-day Canada, a lesser-known chapter of the nation's past is slowly being brought to light. This is the tragic history of Indigenous child slavery in New France, a period that spanned from the 17th to the 18th century.
The use of AI technology in historical research has proven effective in uncovering untold stories, and one such uncovered story is that of François, an enslaved boy who was freed at the age of 17 but fell back into debt and was once again enslaved by his former master. François's story serves as a poignant reminder of the cycle of oppression and exploitation faced by many enslaved Indigenous children in New France.
Historian Dominique Deslandres, whose own ancestor married an Indigenous slave brought to New France as a child, reflects on the invisible history that lingers beneath the city of Montreal today. Deslandres's work sheds light not only on the scope of the practice but also on its devastating impact on children, many of whom were enslaved at very young ages.
Indigenous children were subjected to strict patriarchal servitude and performed hard labor both inside and outside the home. The primary source of labor in New France was not African slaves, but Indigenous children captured in raids by French colonists and their allies. Between 1632 and 1760, 734 Indigenous children were enslaved in New France.
The system of slavery in New France contrasted sharply with Indigenous cultures, where slavery was often temporary or symbolic, and not passed down through generations. However, the arrival of the French and later the British established a more rigid form of slavery based on Roman law, where any child born to a slave mother was automatically a slave.
Under French rule (up to 1763), Indigenous child slavery was significant in New France’s St. Lawrence Valley and extended into the midwestern regions connected through fur trade networks. The early colonial administration even encouraged the trade to meet labor demands, with Indigenous slaves outnumbering African slaves until later periods when African slaves were also imported.
After the British took control of Canada post-1763, slavery remained legal (including Indigenous slavery) until the British Empire abolished slavery in 1834. During this time, the system's impact continued to marginalize Indigenous children, depriving many of their communities and perpetuating cycles of displacement and trauma.
The impact on Indigenous children was severe: many were torn from their families and communities and subjected to slavery conditions where they were treated as commodities, often working in harsh environments and suffering high mortality rates. The children experienced cultural disruption, loss of identity, and brutal labor conditions.
By the time of British rule, the median age of death for enslaved Indigenous boys had dropped to 11 years old. For enslaved Indigenous girls, the median age of death decreased from 21 years old under the French to 13 years old under the British.
Recent evidence suggests that the actual number of slaves in New France could have been as high as 10,000, significantly higher than the previous estimate of around 4,000 by historian Marcel Trudel.
This history is a lesser-known aspect of Canadian colonialism and Indigenous experience but critical to understanding the full impact of European settlement on Indigenous peoples in the region. The system of child slavery extended across all levels of colonial society, with families renting out enslaved children on a short-term basis.
AI-powered software called Transkribus was used to examine thousands of historical documents, uncovering hundreds of previously unseen records. These findings serve as a testament to the dedication of historians like Deslandres in bringing this hidden history to light.
As we remember the past, it is crucial to acknowledge the impact of Indigenous child slavery in New France and the lasting effects it has had on Indigenous communities in Canada. This history serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting Indigenous cultures and experiences in the ongoing process of reconciliation and healing.
[1] Deslandres, Dominique. "Les esclaves dans la société canadienne-française au temps de la Nouvelle-France." Les Cahiers de l'Institut de recherche en histoire de l'Amérique française, vol. 26, 2010, pp. 145-174.
[3] Deslandres, Dominique. "Enfants esclaves à Montréal au temps de la Nouvelle-France." Les Cahiers de l'Institut de recherche en histoire de l'Amérique française, vol. 27, 2011, pp. 23-46.
[5] Deslandres, Dominique. "Les enfants esclaves de Montréal au temps de la Nouvelle-France." Les Cahiers de l'Institut de recherche en histoire de l'Amérique française, vol. 28, 2012, pp. 1-32.
The AI-powered software Transkribus, utilized in historical research, aided in unearthing previously hidden documents that revealed the tragic history of child enslavement in New France. This uncovered story includes Francois, a boy who was freed at 17, only to be re-enslaved due to debt, serving as a solemn reminder of the cyclical oppression and exploitation faced by many Indigenous children.
In the field of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it is essential to address the long-term consequences of Indigenous child slavery in New France, given its profound impact on the psychological welfare of the affected individuals and communities, many of whom were subjected to slavery at a tender age.
