Final answer:
The first native group Christopher Columbus encountered were the Taíno people of the Caribbean who exchanged gifts with him, though these peaceful interactions would later lead to tragic consequences for the Taíno due to colonialism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first native group that Christopher Columbus encountered were the Taíno inhabitants of the Caribbean islands. His initial interaction with the Taíno was marked by a friendly exchange of gifts, as Columbus provided them with red caps and beads, and in return, the natives offered parrots, cotton thread, and other goods.
Columbus was struck by the simplicity of their lives, noting their lack of iron and weapons, and their eagerness to trade with the Spaniards. Unfortunately, these peaceful exchanges would eventually give way to violence and oppression as colonization took hold, decimating the indigenous populations through various means, including disease, warfare, and exploitation.