Panis nation "plays ... the same role in America that the Negroes do in Europe." However, the importation of slaves of First Nations descent began to decline in the decade prior to the Conquest of New France in 1760. A number of New French institutions, including the enslavement of First Nations, continued to be legal as stipulated in the Articles of Capitulation of Montreal. By the late-18th century, slaves of African descent began to make up a larger portion of slaves being imported into the region by European slave traders. Several court decisions, and legislative acts passed in the Canadas during the late-18th and early 19th century resulted in the decline of the institution in the colonies. The last slave of First Nations descent in Lower Canada was recorded to have been donated to a Montreal hospital in 1821. The institution was abolished in 1834; at which time, the majority of the slaves in the region were of African descent. Number enslaved According to the Canadian Museum of History 35 individuals were held as slaves in Canada from the establishment of New France to 1699. Most of these individuals were slaves of First Nations origin. From 1700 to 1760 the museum estimated 2,000 slaves were held in Canada; two-thirds of whom were First Nations people. The museum reported most slaves were very young, that the average age of First Nations slaves was just 14 years old. Their mortality was high, as most came from the interior, and lacked immunity to European diseases. From the mid-17th century to the abolition of slavery in 1833, there were approximately 2,683 slaves of First Nations descent; making up nearly two-thirds of all slaves in New France during the period of French colonial rule. Monette (fl. 1760s), described as a Panis, was enslaved by fur trader John Askin and was the mother to John Askin Jr.; Catherine, the wife of Robert Hamilton, founder of Queenston; and Madeline, the wife of Dr. Robert Richardson of the Queen's Rangers. See also Slavery in Canada Slavery in New France References External links Slavery - Virtual Museum of New France Slavery in Canada First Nations history in Quebec Slavery of Native Americans Pawnee History of New France