According to history, the first "White" interaction with the Menominee began with Jean Nicolet, a French explorer. This took place in 1634 near Green Bay.

There is no documentation indicating which Tribes Nicolet actually met when he landed there. However, because the Menominees lived in the general area, it is believed there were some Menominees there when Nicolet arrived in his Chinese Robe. He wore an elaborate robe because he thought he was landing on the shores of China when he crossed Lake Michigan.

This encounter was the beginning of the "Fur Trade Era" and also the beginning of many changes for the Tribe. During the 1600’s three major events had serious impacts on the Menominees.

CHANGE IN LIFE STYLE

They became dependent on the trade goods and upon the French traders who brought them. Iron and brass implements replaced stone knives and hatchets. Blankets and cloth of French manufacture replaced the clothing of skins and furs for which the French was so eager to purchase. Metal kettles took the place of the clay pots and gourds that had been previously used by the Indian women; and steel needles and awls replaced those of stone and shell.

The Wisconsin tribes, including the Menominees were pulled into the war between France and England. Menominees fought on the side of France because they considered the French fur traders their friends. Also, the Menominee were loyal to the country who proclaimed to be the governing body over the area where they lived. The western Great Lakes area, including Wisconsin, was dominated by the French from approximately 1630 to 1760.

The energy of the men was turned more and more to trapping the fur-bearing animals for the traders. Whereas in former days the Indian man hunted only to supply the immediate needs of his family and relatives for food and clothing. Now he was forced to obtain many more pelts in order to purchase from the white trader the goods which had now become necessary for his family’s welfare. As the game became more scarce and retreated deeper into the forests, he was forced to range farther and farther from his village.

Thus the whole life style of the Menominee was changed; they acquired new wants and new habits. It had a serious impact on the system of government, especially the clans. There were smaller bands, to accommodate the new hunting patterns and therefore more clans came into existence.