What role did the indians play in the french colonies?

In French colonies, Indigenous peoples played significant roles in trade, labor, and military alliances. They were integral to the fur trade, providing knowledge of local resources and networks that the French relied on for economic success. Additionally, many Indigenous groups formed strategic alliances with the French, particularly during conflicts with other European powers, such as the British. However, these relationships were complex and often fraught with tension as colonial expansion encroached on Indigenous lands and ways of life.