Contact between the Plains Indians and the French initially occurred in the late 17th century. As the fur trade expanded into the hinterland and numerous trading posts were set up on the Canadian prairies, on the banks of the major waterways, regular contact between the two groups quickly developed. Médard Chouart, also known as Groseilliers, and Pierre-Esprit Radisson, two French fur merchants, were the first to initiate contact with the Plains Indians. 
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