Samuel de Champlain ( c. 1567 â `` December 25 , 1635 ) , , was a French navigator , cartographer , draughtsman , soldier , explorer , geographer , ethnologist , diplomat and chronicler . He is called `` The Father of New France '' . 1567 -- December 25 , 1635 ) , `` The Father of New France '' , was a French navigator , cartographer , draughtsman , soldier , explorer , geographer , ethnologist , diplomat , and chronicler .