What did the french first call the first nations?

The French initially referred to the First Nations in Canada as "les Sauvages," which translates to "the Savages." This term reflected the European perspective of indigenous peoples at the time, often viewing them as uncivilized. Over time, the French and other Europeans developed more respectful terms as they engaged more closely with indigenous cultures. Today, the term "Premières Nations" is commonly used in French to refer to these groups.