What is Mathieu de Costa?
'''Mathieu de Costa''' was the first known [[Africa]]n to come to [[Canada]], in the early 17th century. He was a [[Merchant|storekeeper]] and [[translator]]. He spoke many languages including [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[French language|French]], [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[English language|English]], [[pidgin]] [[Basque language|Basque]], his original African language, and [[Míkmaq language|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 [[Habitation at Port-Royal|Port Royal Habitation National Historic Site of Canada]] remembers his work. They are in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. {{bio-stub}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Costa, Mathieu de}} [[Category:Explorers]] [[Category:Canadian businesspeople]] [[Category:African people]] [[Category:16th-century births]] [[Category:17th-century deaths]] [[Category:Translators]]