The correct answer is He helped the colonists negotiate treaties by the native Powhatan tribe.
John Smith was critical to the survival of Jamestown due to his ability to communicate and strike deals with Native American tribes, specifically the Powhatan tribe. Smith traded for necessities (like food) in exchange for goods that Europeans brought over when traveling here (like jewlery). Besides trade, Smith also helped to navigate disagreements over land and resources with the Powhatan. Without his help, the Jamestown colony may not have survived more than a year.
