First Encounters of the Hochunk Nation and the French

http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/amerbegin/contact/text6/hochunk.pdf

This link offers a report of the first encounter the Winnebago had with Europeans when the French came ashore on their lake - this historical account has been passed down through the generations, so is only a secondary source.

In the first instance of their meeting it shows the communication issues they would have faced when they "came ashore and extended their hands to the Winnebago, and the Indians put tobacco in their hands. The French, of course, wanted to shake hands with the Indians." The language barrier is of no surprise, as is the cultural custom confusion, but it was handled genially and the French seemed to then go on to try to teach the Native Americans the use of tools, seeing that they have very few of their own.

This does not go to plan either, when the Indians are afraid to use the axe as "they thought that the axe was holy.". The French then go on to try and teach the Native Americans the use of the gun, but yet again the indians thought the weapons were unholy, having never seen anything like it before. This highlights a huge barrier between reactions Europeans and Native Americans had towards new objects - while both cultures are religious, and curious, it seems the Native Americans temper their natural curiosity with superstition. That being said, the account then goes on to describe quite comically how a "Frenchman saw an old man smoking and poured water on him.". They then seem to enjoy sharing their knowledge in this regard too - showing that both cultures had something to learn from the other, despite appearances.

This account goes on to describe how they managed to find a means of communication through signs, and traded between them their knowledge and products. This becomes a seemingly amiable relationship, even to the point that "the leader of the whites took a liking to a Winnebago girl, the daughter of the chief, and he asked her parents for permission to marry her." This shows a good level of respect the Europeans had towards these Native Americans, and when he is given permission this can be regarded as mutual.

It is then stated in their legends that the chief of the tribe always has French blood, and will find great success in both worlds. So, although they seem to enjoy a good, accepting relationship with the French, they still regard them as living in an entirely different world to their own and do not seem to have any desire to mix the worlds in the way the Europeans do, regardless of trading habits and learning from one another.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/walam/wa09.htm

This website is the description of the Native Americans first encountering Europeans coming across the water, and although it offers few words and crude drawings, i found the end sentence revealing of the Indians natural reaction to Europeans, when they said "They are peaceful; they have great things; who are they?".

This speaks of a curiosity and awe for the new arrivals and the things they bring with them, and shows that the Native Americans were educated enough in their own thoughts, despite what Europeans thought, to be curious about the rest of the world on their own. It also shows that the Native Americans thought the Europeans were peaceful and may not have expected the fights that were to come.