Mathieu de Costa

Mathieu de Costa was the first known African to come to Canada, in the early 17th century. He was a storekeeper and translator. He spoke many languages including Portuguese, French, Dutch, English, pidgin Basque, his original African language, and Míkmaq. He helped to make a connection between the Europeans and the Míkmaq people. He was a freeman. Europeans liked that he talked many languages. The Port Royal Habitation National Historic Site of Canada remembers his work. They are in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.