Jacques Cartier sailed into the St. Lawrence River in 1534 .
Jacques Cartier established an ill - fated colony near present - day Quebec City at the site of Stadacona , a village of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians .
Jacques Cartier sailed into the St. Lawrence River in 1534 and established an ill - fated colony near present - day Quebec City at the site of Stadacona , a village of the St. Lawrence Iroquoians .