The Fur Trade 1. Getting Around the Northwest 2. First Nations and the Fur Trade 3. First Nations Women

1. Getting Around the Northwest

•Because the fur traders had to transport many supplies, the best way to travel was by river

•Sometimes, though, it was necessary to carry boat and cargo across land

•This is called a portage and it’s hard work! •Another difference between the HBC and the NWC was their preferred method of transportation

•The NWC used canoes •What are some advantages/disadvantages of canoes?

•Pros: lightweight •Cons: not too sturdy, powered by muscle

•The HBC used York boats, which were based on small fishing boats developed in Scotland

•What are some advantages/disadvantages of York boats?

•Pros: sturdier and more rugged than canoes

•Had a sail •Cons: heavier for portaging

Boat Specs

2. First Nations and the Fur Trade

•The four major First Nations in the Northwest are the:

a) Cree b) Anishinabé (Ojibway) c) Nokoda d) Dene

•Most First Nations became so deeply involved in the fur trade that it disrupted their way of life

•They reaped the benefits when times were good

•However, they became dependent on the income from fur trading

•As animals were hunted to near extinction in certain areas, the First Nations living in those areas were forced to migrate

•Contact with Europeans also exposed First Nations to deadly illnesses

•Smallpox and measles especially took their tolls

3. First Nations Women •European fur traders were initially shocked by the condition of First Nations women

•They believed that First Nations women were overworked

•First Nations women provided food, medicine, clothing, and shelter

•For all of this work, their status was actually elevated

•They provided great value to their community

•The deeper into the Northwest that fur traders travelled, the more reliant they became on First Nations for their knowledge

•As these traders became closer to First Nations communities, they became closer to First Nations women

•By the end of the 18th century, many European traders had taken First Nations wives

•These marriages helped strengthen relations between traders and First Nations

•They also led to the creation an entirely new people: the Métis

•But what would happen when European women began to settle in the Northwest?