Who is Squanto from Mayflower and what is their importance?

Squanto, or Tisquantum, was a Native American taken captive by Thomas Hunt in 1614. He spent around five years in England, Spain, and Newfoundland before returning to New England with Thomas Dermer. On his return, Squanto learned that most of his village had died during the plagues that wiped out many Indians in the early 1600s. He was given to Massasoit in exchange for a Frenchman that Massasoit was holding.