How was Champlain different in terms of his relations with the native population of New France than other explores? What were his motives for such a relationship?
In his book "Des Sauvages" champlain cover some aspect of his relation with the native people. As to know how he was different from other explorers, we would have to define which explorers ans in which way they are different. Champlain quickly made an alliance with the Algonquins and Huron-Wendat. One of the specificity of Champlain's attitude was his loyalty to his ally. He thought it was imperative to respect the alliance and help his allies. He fought with them on multiple occasions, he took an arrow to the knee and was forced to stay the whole winter in one of his allies village. He became close to them and they considered him as a very close and important ally. The natives might have seen the French has a "secret weapon" against the Iroquois. Champlain wanted allies and took the people around the city of Québec. Champlain wanted to secure the St-Lawrence river for his allies so the Huron could freely serve as middle men between the French and the Western nations. For this he had to keep the Iroquois out of the river valley. He was opposed to any extensive form of colonization so the native presence was an advantage for him. Im gonna quote Samuel Eliot Morison's "Oxofrd History of the American People". This explain what kind of a man Champlain was and why the natives respected and loved the man.
Samuel de Champlain was the most versatile of colonial founders in North America: at once sailor and soldier, scholar and man of action, artist and explorer. Sailors admire him, not only for exploring the rugged coast of New england without serious mishap, but for his "Treaty on Seamanship", in which his description of "the Good Captain" well applies to himself. Loyal to his king and his church, he endeavored with success to lead the New Testament life in an age of loose morals; many years after his last visit to the Huron nation they were marveling at his continence. The death of the great leader close the first chapter in the history of New France.
When he died, the local natives came to Québec to pay their homage. The man was respected by all. He is the father of New France. No real picture of him exist.
I recommend watching the short movie "Champlain" from Academy award historian film maker Denys Arcand. It is made with over 100 drawing of Academy award winner Frederick Back. It is beautiful movie.