Mathieu da Costa: The Truth About The First Black Canadian Settler

Credit: Historius Maximus

In this video, we delve into the life of Mathieu Da Costa, a mysterious figure who is widely believed to be Canada’s first black settler. However, despite his status as a founding father and national hero, there is a surprising lack of evidence surrounding his life. We begin by examining the historical context of Da Costa’s life and the events that link him to Canada’s founding. We then explore the evidence, or lack thereof, surrounding his life, which has led to the proliferation of unfounded claims and historical fiction. Our main source of information on Da Costa comes from a long and bitter legal case that spanned a decade, which had serious implications for Da Costa’s French employer, Pierre Dugua de Mons. We also address the many embellishments and bold claims surrounding Da Costa’s life and his supposed involvement in the establishment of the first permanent French-Canadian settlement. Ultimately, this video sheds light on the mysterious and enigmatic figure that is Mathieu Da Costa and invites viewers to question the legitimacy of historical narratives.