How The Fur Trade Changed Western Part Of Canadian History

Over time, the power that Native women held with in their tribe has unfortunately digressed. During the age of exploration Native women have played key roles in the western fur trade. Native women assisted the fur traders by being liaison between the Europeans and Natives. This role was fundamental in strengthening trade increasing the economic stability of the post. They acted as guides for the European traders who often found themselves in dangerous and unfamiliar territory. Finally, they provided an intimate relationship for the European traders, and played a pragmatic role as a domesticated wife. However in order to fully understand the magnitude of the

Marriage à la façon du pays, or “according to the customs of the country,” was a bond which unified the European American and Canadian fur traders and Native tribes, with many of them having to pay a “bride price” for the daughters of the very top tribal leaders. There were two important, yet basic, features to forming a marriage such as this. The first feature was to make sure that there is secure consent of the woman's relations. It seemed as though the woman's wishes were respected. And there is plenty of evidence pointing to the fact that Aboriginal women sought to marry fur

The Hudson Bay Company was created in the late 17th century, decades before Canada became a country ("Our History"). Despite the success of the Hudson Bay Company, French and American interests did not back them ("Our History"). The main operations of the HBC was centred on trading with the Natives ("Our History"). The Natives brought furs to the forts and posts of the Hudson Bay Company, located around the shores of James and Hudson Bays, to barter for manufactured goods like knives, kettles, beads, needles, and blankets ("Our History"). These posts and forts along the west of Canada influenced where modern, major cities would grow ("Our History").

The fur trade was a significant part of Canadian history. With the founding of the Hudson's Bay and Northwest Company during the1670's, the fur trade managed growth and development all the way into Western Canada until 1870. The fur trade was unique, for it was the only industry that was based on an exchange of goods between two very different groups of people (namely, the Indians and the Europeans). Although most people think of the fur trade as being a male dominated industry, Indian women also played very important roles in the industry's development. However, the women's experiences differed in relation to

This new trading company was primarily made up of French Canadians and its creation was a direct threat to the Hudson's Bay Company, which held an absolute monopoly on the fur trade. In the middle of this conflict were the Metis, who held important positions as traders, labourers and clerks within both trading companies. By the end of the 18th century, many Metis people had begun to congregate around the trading posts at Red River . Many of the clerks working for either trading company were Metis and so the conflict grew in significance. Eventually the harsh methods of the Hudson's Bay Company caused the Metis to become disillusioned and so many joined with the Northwest Company.

The British were interested in the production and circulation of fur as a commodity in the world market and were in need of labor. The Indians were the only available source of skilled labor, so they became part of the production process.

The Métis indigenous group has faced many economic struggles, oppression, assimilation of their culture, and religious conflict in the past, as well as in the present. Currently, aboriginals in Canada, specifically the Métis, are dealing with lower employment rates, high levels of incarnation, lower income levels, and poorer education compared to non-aboriginal Canadians (Joseph, Bob. 2012.). The Métis reside all across Canada, but they are mainly in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan as well as the surrounding area of the great lakes in Ontario. The Métis made their homes along the fur trade route since they heavily relied on the trade (The Métis

When European settlers arrived, they had a pre-decided vision of what women ought to behave like based on the European women, which the indigenous women didn’t align with. Indigenous women were comprehended and characterized in ambiguous and conflicting terms. They could firstly be viewed as “noble savages” where they were seen as classic Indian Princesses, virginal, childlike, naturally pure, beautiful, helpful to European men, and open and willing to

Canada is known for the vast landscape diverse in natural resources that are found with in its boarders stretching from coast to coast. The fur trade in Canada has a unique and colorful evolving history. The geography of Canada with its thousands of lakes and wide spread landscape began as a pristine environment to harvest furs. Early shore-based fishing exploitations off the Grand Banks could have been causes for the initiation of the North American fur trade. Europeans were attracted by the superb quality of the furs in the possession of the natives they encountered and saw the potential for marketing such furs in Europe where stock of good quality fur was becoming increasingly limited. Native people in what is now Canada, were interested in trading their furs for European goods not accessible or known by the Native people. Foreign items that the Natives sought out were metal implements, clothing, blankets and horses. Across the ocean a change in men’s headwear fashion in western Europe in the late 16th century motivated and drove the North American fur trade as a major business opportunity for European nations. As part of their uniform Swedish military officers fashioned a wide brimmed felt hat that inspired European men to wear a similar style of hat, this type of hat became a big demand in

It is clear from the abstract of the article that Native women played an important role in evolving the fur trade as well as women’s involvement expanded. The author beings by setting a frame of reference, referring to Richard White’s interpretation of the evolution of fur trade, which he labeled the “middle ground”. Which provided a good basis for Sleeper-Smith to integrate her stance of how the native women influenced the evolution of fur trade in their role as cultural mediators. The term “cultural mediators” is seldom used, despite it being mentioned as part of the abstract. However, “mediators” on its own is used throughout the article to describe to role and influence of native women. In regards to the use of “cultural mediators” at the

Today, the well-liked, 2.9 billion dollar company known as “The Hudson’s Bay”, as most people know as “The Bay” is Canada’s oldest functioning company; selling anything from clothes, to household supplies, it is the perfect place to shop.However, this wasn’t always the case, and the Hudson’s Bay Company once had a brutal and fascinating past. It all started approximately 350 years ago, when two french men going after the names- Radisson and Des Grossieliers headed to Canada with a dream to become rich, however, they weren’t aware of the adventures and fortunes Canada had to offer. When they approached Canada, two Cree elders gave the two frenchmen the directions to the lakes, Radisson and Grossieliers went first to governor D’Argen and told

Notably, Horizons Canada describes the historical events and details of the Canadian Fur trade. Initially, the fur trade introduced communication between European settlements and First Nations, the industry eventually transferring to two major companies. Consequently, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), discovered in 1670 built trading posts, becoming an established business for trading fur between First Nation trappers and traders. Eventually, by the mid-1700s the North West Company (NWC) would become a rival to the HBC. Ultimately, the business practices between them differed greatly, their successes hinging on them. For example, their modes of travel determined success as the NWC travelled with canoes, while the HBC travelled in York boats.

In History of the Canadian Peoples, it is shown that in the Maritime Colonies, there was a “fundamental inequality” of the sexes and that patriarchy, which is a “belief that men should have power over women and children” was promoted in colonial society. The simple mention of having power over women challenges the beliefs put forward in the source. There cannot be equality between the sexes to any

Women in Between discusses the unique and complex interactions between the two racial groups, white and Indian and the important role that Indian women played in this interaction. The article title Women in Between is appropriately named as it focuses on explaining the role of Indian women in the fur trade and their ability to play an integral part in fur trade society. Similar sources draw on the same conclusion that Indian women played a key role in the fur trade as they were able to act as agents in developing Indian-white relations. “The strong

Humans have been using the skins of animals to make shoes and clothing since the dawn of time. In ancient times humans hunted animals for food; no part of the animal went to waste. Parts of the animal such as the bones and fur were used to make clothing as well as jewelry. There was a mutual respect for the Earth and all of the creatures that inhabit it. “The Earth is part of us; the Earth is sacred.” (Carlos). There was once the understanding that another life form is giving itself up for another to thrive. In today’s society there is a growing demand for food and clothing. In a world filled with so many people, there is also a growing demand to feel unique and special. Animals are mass-produced to feed our hunger, and to satisfy our growing appetite for glamour and fashion. Continuing through the centuries, the fur trade has shaped and influenced human life. Much has changed since the old ways of hunting and trapping animals. Luxury, power, and the lust to possess something beautiful are the main shape shifters in this profitable yet questionable business.