Samuel de Champlain, a prominent French explorer and navigator, led an expedition into the Bay of Fundy region in North America, seeking to map the waterways and establish potential settlements for France. His arrival at the mouth of the Saint John River in what is now New Brunswick provided valuable insights into the geography of the region. Notably, Champlain encountered the Reversing Falls, a unique natural phenomenon that occurs where the Saint John River meets the Bay of Fundy. This area is known for its extreme tidal shifts, with the river's flow reversing at high tide, creating tumultuous rapids and eddies. Champlain’s observations of these features demonstrated the area's potential for settlement, commerce, and navigation.

Champlain’s explorations further underscored the strategic significance of this location. The Saint John River served as a critical transportation route for Indigenous tribes long before European contact. Recognizing its importance, Champlain would report back to France about the opportunities for trade and alliances with the local tribes. His engagements with Indigenous peoples during this expedition also laid the groundwork for future French relations in the region, which were crucial in the contests between European powers over North American territories in the years to come. These explorations marked a significant moment in the early interactions between Europeans and Indigenous populations in Canada.

Champlain’s meticulous mapping and journal entries not only highlighted the natural beauty and resources of the region but also played a pivotal role in shaping European perceptions of New France. His work contributed to the narrative of exploration during the early 17th century, a period characterized by competition among European nations to expand their influence in the New World. The encounters at the mouth of the Saint John River exemplified the complexities of exploration, including the need for diplomacy and cooperation with the Indigenous inhabitants.