Rocky Mountain Fur Trade

Rocky Mountain Fur Trade
"What did Bridger leave behind?", you may ask, let me tell you. To start out, all Mountain Men left
the legacy of exploring most of the west in search of fur (beavers), while they were searching for fur
they found new routes to Oregon and California. Their trading posts also became supply stations for
settlers moving West. Jim was a trapper, hunter, Indian fighter, and one of the few mountain men to
stay in the Rockies after the fur trade was over. Jim was selected in 1824 to explore Bear River, and
settle the dispute of where it went. During this exploration he found Great Salt Lake, but more
recent evidence states that he wasn't the first white man to see it, Etienne Provost was. Bridger
thought that Great Salt Lake was an arm of the Pacific ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Then in 1857, he guided Albert Sidney Johnston's army into his fort, they kicked the Mormons out
and the army occupied it until 1890. In 1859, he guided a party down the Bighorn Canyon. The
party was sent to observe by the U.S. War Department, under the command of Captain William
Raynolds. They observed the Yellowstone and Missouri River County, Bridger was payed $125 a
month for this expedition. In 1864, he was hired by the military to lead a trail through Bighorn
Valley, to create a new trial that was not risky and unsafe like the Bozeman Trail, his new trail called
Bridger trail. In 1866 he was once again working for the army to lead a group to find fort C.F.
Smith, he yet again guided people through the Bighorn Canyon, he earned $300 a month for this.
The Sioux Indians then attacked them once they had found the fort and started helping the
construction, Bridger sent a letter to the army, in the letter it stated "the intention was to attack Fort
Philip Kearney first, and if they were successful to attack Fort C.F.
... Get more on HelpWriting.net ...

The Role of Native and Métis Women in the Western Fur Trade
Final Research Paper The Role of Native and Métis Women In the Western Fur Trade 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 ... Show more content
on Helpwriting.net ...
Before the Europeans came to Canada, Natives had their own culture, traditions and norms. These
differences were obvious to the Europeans who sailed to Canada, their interactions with the Native
peoples proved these vast differences. One major difference noted was that the Iroquois organized
their societies on different lines than did the patrilineal western Europeans. Iroquois women "by
virtue of her functions as wife and mother, exercised an influence but little short of despotic, not
only in the wigwam but also around the council fire." "She indeed possessed and exercised all civil
and political power and authority. The country, the land, the fields with their harvests and fruits
belonged to her ... her plans and wishes modeled the policy and inspired the decisions of council."
The Europeans were astounded by this way of life. The women have great power here. A man may
promise you something, and if he does not keep his promise, he thinks he is sufficiently excused
when he tells you that his wife did not wish to do it. I told him then that he was not the master, and
that in France women do not rule their husbands . As well accounts from traders who explored the
Northwest coast have written about the strong roles women played in trade transactions with these
unfamiliar men. On one account an Englishman who was visiting and having an experience in
trading at Nootka Sounds. [A senior trader under the East India Company], named James Strange
jotted

Essay The Fur Trade Period in the Indian Territory
The Fur Trade Period in the Indian Territory
Images of rough faced, Grizzly Bear fighting, firewater drinking, yarn spinning, frontiersmen form
in the minds eye. Wild men for wild times! To a degree this image is true, but the fur trade was more
than wild men. The fur trade was a business, conducted by businessmen. The wilder men living on
the frontier chose trapping. Fashion created the fur trade as businessmen sought to satisfy the tastes
of designers and customers back east and in Europe, where furs and hides were necessities for
fashionable clothing and accessories. Fashions also affected the Indians who sought, silver,
vermillion, glass beads, and clothe from traders. Each group depended on the other to supply the
resources. ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In 1824, due to escalating conflicts between Osages and eastern tribes, the government constructed
Ft. Gibson at the mouth of the Neosho on the Arkansas River, thus adding government settlers or
merchants to the mix of traders and changing trade practices in the area forever. "Should peace be
restored, the different tribes would turn their attention altogether to hunting, consequently the
Arkansas River would become as valuable highway as the Mississippi and Missouri for the
transportation of furs and other articles of Indian trade," A.P. Chouteau.
As the Civilized Tribes were being relocated, the U.S. army sent expeditions west. While preparing
for one such expedition, Washington Irving in his journal "A Tour of the Prairies" recounts the scene
at Chouteau's trading post as;" a few log houses on the banks of the river, surrounded by a group of
Osages simple in garb and aspect, a party of Creeks quite oriental in their appearance, a sprinkling
of trappers, hunters, half–breeds, Creoles, Negroes, and other rabble of nondescript beings between
civilized and savage life".
The fur trade also took place along the Red River. Here no one trader dominated like the Chouteau
family of the three forks area. Independent traders established posts along the Red River to trade
with the Kiowas and Comanches and the Choctaws and Chickasaws. Josiah Doaks began a small
post near the junction of the Kiamichi and Red Rivers in 1821.

William Drummond 's The Fur Trade
William Benemann, Men in Eden: William Drummond Steward and same–sex desire in the Rocky
Mountain fur trade, Lincoln NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2012. pp.vii–343. Men in Eden
follows William Drummond Stewart through his career and life in the fur trade, his family life and
struggles, and his relationships with his male companions. The fur trade was a time of societal
change as many norms, specifically standards for gender norms, sexuality, race and religion.
William Drummond Stewart never wrote a biography, so it is difficult for historians to get a clear
picture of his life. William Drummond Stewart did however write two novels, Altowan (1846) and
Edward Warren (1854), which are both based on his life. "In his introduction to Edward Warren
Stewart even describes the novel as a fictitious Auto–biography" (p. 35). Benjamin references
numerous primary sources such as novels written during William Drummond Stewart's life, letters
he wrote or was associated with, art, diary entire, newspaper articles, and court cases. He also refers
to other biographies written about William Drummond Stewart as well as biographies about other
key people in Stewart's life, secondary sources. Using more personal sources adds entertainment and
personality to the plot of the novel that stories based on court cases cannot provide. Unlike court
cases though, it is nearly impossible for modern historians to know how accurate the information
from these less official sources is.

Fur Trade History
Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the fur trade and fur trading industry was at its height.
There were many fur trade companies in most civilized regions of North America.One major
compnents of the fur trade was the hunters or trappers, which many of were Native Americans.
Since Europeans came to America, there had been constant interactions with Native Americans,
both peaceful and violent. Native Americans, Europeans and American settlers could benefit from
one another, leading to an extensive style of interactions of any kind. These topics are thoroughly
discussed in Michael Punke's, The Revenant, and Shirley Christian's, Before Lewis and Clark. In
both novels, settlers endure hardships with Native–Americans, and in some instances agreements ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
There were various regulated or government activities involving Indians. First of all, multiple
regulations were put on trading, trading areas and who could trade with who. For example. the
Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory gave the Osage trade monopoly to Manuel Lisa in
1802, cancelling the monopoly with the Chouteau's (Christian, 103). Trade was regulated, and
certain companies or people had certain tribes or places to trap, hunt or trade. People and or their
companies could also be banned from trading with the Indians. Another way the government was
involved with interactions, was by bringing leaders from certain tribes to Washington D.C., a way to
impress the Indians and to show them the different and exciting ways and materials of the white
man (Christian, 116). This helped the Indians become more trusting and open about the views and
decisions of the government and executives. The Government or leaders of certain territories could
create or decide on trade agreements. treaties, and what to do in the case of a large conflict. These
officials could dictate or create groups of me to hunt, trade and meet with Indians. One of the largest
government regulated orders was the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the Louisiana Territory.
Native–Americans, Whites and Europeans interacted because or through the regulation of officials
or government

Fur Trade Research Paper
Fur Trade
Cruella De Vil isn't the only person who wears fur. The killing of animals for their fur is a common
day thing, and is not only a disgusting act, but also unnecessary and people who purchase it is
rightfully represented by a villain in Disney's "101 Dalmations." Cruella De Vil isn't the only villain
in the world who is violently killing animals in order to make supposedly luscious full length fur
coats. However, she did have enough puppies to make a full length coat. Typically it takes around
100 animals to make said item. To keep up with the demand for fur coats, around 2 million cats,
along with hundreds of thousands of dogs are killed in China. The animals contained on fur farms
live in monstrous conditions, all leading up to

Fur Trade Decline
However, as a result of a prolonged trapping and killing of the animals, they became nearly extinct.
The decline in the population of the fur–bearing animals and the high demand for fur lead some of
the Cree to relocate to new areas to trap and hunt. The fur trade became such an important aspect of
the Cree's lives that they became dependant on it. The native people relied upon the trading posts for
firearms and ammunition to hunt for their own food and would also buy European food with the
income they made. Because they were devoting most of their time hunting for the fur trade, they
stopped hunting for their own food as they did in the past. Hunters were forced to forego parts of
their yearly cycle traditions. Aside from the extinction

How Did The French Alliance Between The British And Native...
Inventing the trade of furs among the British and the French, the Native Americans initiated the Fur
Trade. English fishermen and the French were the first to trade for furs from the Native Americans.
In exchange, Native American recieved European–manufactured goods. This trade became so
profitable, that fishermen would abandon fishing to go to North America just to trade furs. Allied
with the Iroquois, the British were thought to have an advantage with the Native Americans.
However, the French were great allies with the Native Americans, and they adapted to Native
American customs to help ease trade. Therefore, having a greater connection with the Native
Americans led to the cause of the French being more successful in trade with them. Betrayed by the
French in 1609, when Samuel de Champlain sided against them in their battle with a Huron tribe,
the Iroquois created an alliance with the British. Composed of 6 Indian nations, the Iroquois were
most powerful Indian nation in Eastern North America. Forming a defensive alliance, the also
successfully traded with the British. Remaining as distant as possible, the Iroquois played a large
role in trade between the British and Native Americans. In efforts to gain support ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
Resulting in the a loss for the French, the French and Indian War impacted trade between the French
and Native Americans greatly. Occurring over disputes concerning land, the French and British
broke out into to a war called the French and Indian War. Unfortunately for the French, they did not
come out on top. Seeking revenge after this great loss the French decided to form an alliance with
the Native Americans. Having proper treatment from the France, they were open to an alliance.
Unlike the British, the French did not try to change the Native Americans, and they did not compete
for their land, making the Native Americans cater to the

The Fur Trade : An Important Part Of The Political And...
The fur trade began, as early 17th to 19th centuries; it was an important part of the political and
economic development of North America. It offered a source of income and motivated searching of
the continent that was significant to many early colonial industries. There were five countries
involved in the Fur Trade in North America. These were England, Portugal, Holland, Spain and
France. But by the late 17th century there were only France and England. As the market of beaver
pelts in Europe grew, the fur trade became a more profitable trade than fishing and farming. The
native peoples became involved in a global market because of the fur trade; they were the key to the
development and continuation of the North America. According to R. M Maclver, the fur trade was
a primary industry whose growth was a vital factor in the expansion of Canada. In 1578, when
Europeans began navigating to Canada to explore and to fish, they found out that North American
was a land that is rich in fur–bearing animals. North American became known of a new source of
wealth because of the quality and quantity of beaver and other furs. This research paper studies the
nature of the fur trade, the initiation of a cooperation between the English and French to the
Aboriginal people, and the role of women in fur trade; the ecological ethnics, and how the fur trade
affects and change the Native way of life. The ecological impact of the fur trade on the Aboriginal
of North America demonstrates that the

French Fur Trade Essay
The French Fur Trade
Beginning in the mid sixteenth century, French explorers were able to establish a powerful and
lasting presence in what is now the Northern United States and Canada. The explorers placed much
emphasis on searching and colonizing the area surrounding the St. Lawrence River "which gave
access to the Great Lakes and the heart of the continent"(Microsoft p?). They began exploring the
area around 1540 and had early interactions with many of the Natives, which made communication
easier for both peoples when the French returned nearly fifty years later. The French brought a new
European desire for fur with them to America when they returned and began to trade with the
Indians for furs in order to supply the European ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
He helped to establish an industry of fur trading that would continue for the next one hundred fifty
years. By strategically placing many other trading posts in the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes
regions, the French were able to draw many Natives who were interested in European goods and, at
the same time, collect the furs that they desired. This mutual interest in each
other's goods allowed both peoples to experience each other's culture and understand each other's
society. Once the French understood the Natives, they began to trust them and adopted many parts
of their culture. Some explorers used the "Indian canoe...to explore the entire Great Lakes chain and
most of the rivers that fed into them"(Birchfeild p560). Even some of the French explorers "married
into indigenous families...and [blended] French and indigenous elements in the way they lived"
(Microsoft p?). These developing relationships were helpful in keeping peace between the French
and the Natives and were especially helpful in developing political alliances between the French and
certain Native tribes. The French, especially Champlain, were particularly helpful in protecting
many tribes indigenous to the Great Lakes region. Champlain "joined four hundred Indians in an
overland attack on an Iroquois fort" (Sandoz p34) as a representative of French support for the
Algonquians, Montagnais, and Huron Indians. This strong support shows that the French were
committed to keeping peace with their Native friends

Similarities Between The Fur Trade Economy And A Modern...
An Analysis of the similarities and differences between the Fur Trade economy and a modern
oligopoly.
The North American fur trade started in the 1500's as the result of early, sporadic contact and trade
between aboriginal societies and European fishing crews located off the banks of Newfoundland and
the St. Lawrence region. Animal pelts, which were harvested by the natives, were exchanged for
European goods such as weapons, tools and textiles. The beaver, whose inner coat was used to make
the fashionable felt hat in Europe, was the principal and most valuable pelt that was traded. "By
1600, not only was the felt hat popular, but changing fashion led to widened brims and thus an
increase in the amount of beaver fur required per item ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In essence, the fur trade market was divided amongst these two trading posts. Throughout the
1700's, both the British and French, vigorously competed with each other for control of the fur
trade. The structure and behavior of both entities resemble the characteristics of firms in
oligopolistic competition. In this essay, the structural and behavioral characteristics of firms in the
fur trade shall be compared and contrasted to the structural and behavioral characteristics exhibited
by modern oligopolies.
In oligopolistic competition, the market is dominated by a few large firms that produce
differentiated or identical goods. For example, the Canadian market for internet service providers is
dominated by Rogers communications, Bell Canada, Telus and Shaw communications. The idea is
that although there may exist other smaller ISP's in Canada, majority of the market share is
controlled by these four companies. The fur trade was structured in a similar fashion with the market
being dominated by primarily two firms, the Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company.
Thus, the fur trade mainly functioned as a duopoly (the most basic form of oligopoly where the
market for a particular product is dominated by only two firms) until the merger of the two
companies in 1821. Furthermore, oligopolies are characterized as having high barriers to entry that
make it difficult for

How Did The Fur Trade Affect American Culture
The standard history of the fur trade tended to consider the Aboriginal Canadians as monolithic and
treated them as completely subject to European dominance, economic and technological, from first
contact. They argued that exploitative dealings and reliance on European technology immediately
and inevitably led to the collapse of native societies. More recently historians, such as Bruce
Trigger, while examining the Hurons drew attention to different elements of Huron society and how
they responded to European influence over time. Other historians such as Abraham Rothstein have
examined the cultural rather than economic aspects of the fur trade and maintained that it was not
the exploitative relationship presented by the traditional view. Others ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
In addition to altering alliances, the basic destructive capacity of guns significantly altered the
nature of warfare between tribes, as described by a Saukamappee youth in comparing two battles,
the first of which predates the introduction of guns, in which he stated "on both sides several were
wounded, but none lay on the ground; and night put an end to the battle without a scalp being taken
on either side, and in those days such was the result, unless one party was more numerous than the
other." and continues to describe a battle after the introduction of guns : "the battle had begun about
Noon, and the Sun was not yet half down, when we perceived that some of them had crawled away
from their shields...The greater part of the enemy took flight, but some fought bravely and we lost
more than ten killed and many wounded; Part of us pursued, and killed a few, but the chase had
soon to be given over, for at the body of everything Snake Indian killed, there were five or six of us
trying to get his scalp or part of his clothing, his weapons, or something of his as a trophy of the
battle."(Friesen,38). Friesen characterized the pre–gun warfare as rather benign, stating that "Shields
were adequate to defend against arrows, offensive tactics were static

Negative Effects Of The Fur Trade
The fur trade was damaging to most First Nations. The fur trade began with good intention and
benefited the First Nations people, however; it slowly began to negatively impact them. Due to the
fur trade, First Nations began fighting with each other, a decline in wildlife began and diseases
spread and killed many people. First Nations people began conflicts over trade goods and at times
this led to fighting. The wildlife killed for fur trade purposes were slowly going extinct and
impacted the First Nations profits. Another negative impact of the fur trade was small pox, which
killed many First Nations people.
Rivalries began to form between various First Nations. There was tension due to the fur trade, as
every First Nation was profiting differently, and trading with varying people and nations. "After
twenty years of initial contact, the fur trade begins to substantially affect relationships between First
Nations" (Stonechild, 2016). Competition was a major issue for First Nations. The fur trade was
their main source of conflict. ""While the French and English vied with each other for the trade of
the Indians inhabiting the Western interior, the various Indian groups competed with each other for
control of the carrying ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
There was a strong demand for furs and hide, which led to the decline of traded animal furs and
hides. "By 1850, buffalo herds were in noticeable decline in the southern Manitoba area because of
the American demand for robes and hides for factory conveyor belts" (Stonechild, 2016). This was
the beginning of a loss for many First Nations as their main source of trade was being negatively
impacted. "After 1821, the HBC tried to enforce conservation of animals by limiting the number of
furs that could be trapped in certain areas and by banning the use of steel traps" (Stonechild, 2016).
Along with the decline in wildlife, many First Nations began seeing the impacts of European

How The Fur Trade Changed Western Part Of Canadian History
For about two hundred years, fur trade has been the core force in shaping western part of Canadian
history since the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1670. For almost all the time,
women and non–whites were usually dismissed in Canadian historical records due to the idea of
patriarchy and racialization. Sometimes because their works were mostly unpaid, their contributions
were easily ignored. Most of scholars have considered that the fur trade was a male–dominated
activity. Therefore, although Aboriginal and Metis women played a role as instrumental as men in
the fur trade between Europeans and First Nations, their functions have often been ignored.
However, it must be admitted that the fur trade success cannot be accomplished without the
participation of Native and Metis females.
Firstly, intermarriages which also can be called a la facon du pays between First Nation women and
males who were French Canadians, British, American and Indian employees of the fur trade
companies was crucial in the fur trade. The traders from various trade companies usually stayed
with Aboriginal ladies for a long time in a "visiting" and "guiding" relationship at the beginning of
the fur trade. Since there were only very limited number of white ladies in the colonies, the male
European traders started to marry with Indian girls because these men needed women for both
sexual and spiritual requirements. However, their marriages served to bring huge
profits for everyone,

The Trade Of The Fur Industry
Many people who wear fur are not aware with the sad reality behind its production. Fur is associated
with glamor and wealth. However, the truth is entirely different. Annually, millions of animals are
brutally killed for their skin in the name of fashion. Coats, accessories, hats, scarves, and other
fancy items are made from these innocent beings. They live their entire life in tiny cages, often with
diseases, and at the end – beaten, skinned alive and thrown onto a pile. It may sound terrifying, but
this practice happens on a daily basis. Before buying fur, people should be well–informed that their
trendy items come from cruel, needless, and bad for the environment industry. The main countries
that produce farm fur are China, Canada, United States, Russia, and various Eastern European
countries. China is the major fur's exporter. The fur industry is the only industry that is unregulated
by the federal government. Animals raised for fur in farms include minks, foxes, chinchillas, rabbits,
dogs, and cats. Also, there are beautiful wild animals such as raccoons, wolves, coyotes, and more
who are locked in steel–jaw traps while free in nature and then forced to live in cages their whole
lives. According to PETA Organization, "Animals who are trapped in the wild can suffer for days
from blood loss, shock, dehydration, frostbite, gangrene, and attacks by predators. They may be
caught in steel–jaw traps that slam down on their legs, often cutting to the bone. That

Fur Trade Research Paper
By 1670 the fur trade had changed the village selection location to be closer to profitable furs . By
slightly moving the villages from the water ways and into the forest to be closer to the animals with
more profitable furs they could get more furs and their fore better trade goods.. Some tribes still
stayed close to the water ways because of the high value of beavers. Village population were
anywhere from 100 to 500 people3at this time. Sault Ste Marie was still a center of trade and a place
of refuge for the Potawatomi . The Potawatomi had moved north to get away from the Iroquois.
They would move further west into modern day Wisconsin by Green Bay. The Potawatomi who
lived near Green Bay grew Indian corn, fished, gathered acorns, berries ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Since the French had scared of the Iroquois many tribes started to return to their lands near Forts St.
Joseph. In 1691 for example there were Potawatomi living near Fort St. Joseph . The Potawatomi
had a strong relationship with the French and later the British. Because of their relation to the
French they trade with them a lot they even had a village on the opposites shore from Fort St.
joseph. The Potawatomi that has been scared of by the Iroquois by 1695 they stared to return back to
western Michigan . Which means the Potawatomi have almost gone full circle with leaving
southwest Michigan and returning 40 years later. Which shows that Potawatomi might not have
been forced out of the area so much by the Iroquois but maybe they have a 40–year migration
period. That would allow food to build back up in the areas they have villages. Since in the 1640's–
1650's the Potawatomi were living in southwest Michigan. By the 1670's they were at Sault Ste.
Marie and at the same time had villages in the Green Bay area. The Potawatomi fought with the
French in the French and Indian War. After the French left and the British took over the Potawatomi
did not trust them at first. Which can be seen in their actions during Pontiac's

The Fur Trade Analysis
Bowsfeild, (2003) explains that Robert Semple who was born February 6th, 1777, and was the
Hudson Bay Company's, territorial Governor. He also states that historians claim Semple to be an
extremely hostile, vain, and failed to appreciate the lengths to which the Northwest Company would
go in order to destroy the Red River Settlement. At first Semple respected Robertson's superior
knowledge of the country, but he eventually decided to assert his own leadership. Robertson hoped
to blockade the rivers and prevent the Métis from supplying pemmican to the Northwest Company
bridges travelling west. Semple was more concerned with provisions for the settlement than with the
blockade.
McGill, (2015) states in his article; that without the Battle of ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
The first Métis people were born in Eastern Canada as early as the 1600s, and they were the
children born to European men and their Aboriginal wives, (Sprague, 1998). When the fur trade
moved west, in the 1700s and 1800s, many French–Canadian fur traders found the Aboriginal wives
and had children, and there are about 350,000–400,000 Métis in Canada alone. The Métis played a
vital role in the success of the Fur Trade. Not only were the Métis skilled buffalo hunters, but they
were also raised to appreciate both their Aboriginal and European cultures. Over time, the Métis
became valuable employees of both fur trade companies: The North–West Company and even the
Hudson's Bay Company because the Métis were skilled voyageurs, buffalo hunters, traders, and
interpreters, (Sprague, 1998).
Ray, (2015), explains that The Hudson's Bay Company was founded by French traders named
Medard Chouart des Groseilliers, and Pierre–Esprit Raddison, who first proposed a trading company
to reach the interior for better fur access. Once the posts for the Hudson's Bay Company were
established, they began trading with the Aboriginal people in Canada, this came to be known as the
Fur Trade, which will be further explained below. The Aboriginal people would trade pemmican and
other furs for manufactured items. This continued for many years until the Hudson's Bay Company
began wanting more

Fur Trade Solution
Rhian Pritchard Mrs. Moran CAIII Hour 7 4–17–2011 Making a Difference The business of fur
trade and the harsh practices of this business have been global issues for many decades. They have
ruthless ways of killing animals like mink, foxes, and especially wild yak. It is estimated that the
population of the wild yak in Qinghai, China has dropped from one 1 million to 75,000 in the past
decade (Fang 38–39). This problem has been going on for too long and despite the laws and
restrictions that most governments have set, still poachers hunt and kill animals illegally. There are
many possible solutions to this problem that would help, but the most effective way would be to get
donations and funding for non–profit organizations that can ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
These organizations have only money they get from donations, but yet they use every bit of it
effectively and help make a difference. These organizations have discovered that even with their
efforts and the government's laws the fur trade will not stop until they try and cut off the demand for
this fur. They've realized that this is a very profitable industry so no matter how illegal or cruel it is,
poachers will still try and make money. Therefore, if there is no demand and if they can make
people realize that they do not need fur then the poachers will be forced to stop. The European
Union and the United States have banned trade in seal fur products but yet those seals continue on
the verge of extinction ("American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals"). Factory
farming has also been banned in Austria, Croatia and the United Kingdom but in Austria there are
still very high rates of illegal fur trading (Owen). Friends of Nature and other organizations have
realized that these laws do not make a difference, so their efforts have been put towards stopping the
demand. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a very popular group that has gotten
celebrities to do a campaign "I'd rather go naked than wear fur". This campaign is trying to help tell
people they do not need fur and they show how cruel the fur trade farms are.

Fur Trade
Title: How the fur trade was a significant part of Canadian history, and the role of the native females
during the fur–trade.
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 ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Once at home, they would receive great status in their aboriginal communities. Some of the other
woman decided to stay in the trading posts with their family, while staying there they would receive
a pension that had been arranged by their husbands in addition, many times the companies would
make the woman remarry another trader. During these situations the women's wishes weren't
respected.
The Native women were also responsible for raising the family. While being married to a trader, the
wife was supposed to act as one of their wives from back home. Usually the wife/mother would
wake up early in the morning and start the day such by making food or even preparing the furs for
them to be sent back to Europe. Most women would also catch the food for the family, while their
husbands were occupied with the trades. They were also responsible for raising their daughters and
teaching them the general skills of a woman. The sons would also stay with their mothers at home.
However, when they became men they would follow their fathers and learn the business.
Unfortunately, native women were also used for sexual reasons during the fur trade. They were
treated with no dignity from their aboriginal husbands or community. At the time, in most areas of
the world it was not acceptable for a European to have sexual contact with a Native woman. In the
Indian society, the exchanging of wives was very common, for an Indian husband deemed it
perfectly proper

Canadian Fur Trade During The Canadian Economy
The Canadian fur trade played a key role in the development of Canada as a country in many ways,
largely because of the growing need for furs by women overseas. The fur trade acted as the early
foundation of the Canadian economy. The trade increased international trade and consequence acted
as a driver of extending the exploration of the vast Canadian wilderness – much further than would
otherwise have occurred. Concurrently, one of the more important outcomes of the fur trade was
that it acted as the catalyst increasing the relationship between the European and First Nations
People.
Often overlooked in Canadian history, for their role in the fur trade, are the First Nation women,
who were key contributors to the expansion and success of fur trading. Many of the European fur
traders upon arriving on Canadian soil ended up having sexual relationships with First Nation
women; often leading to marriage. While such marriages were to be expected in remote locations
there were additional incentives for the men since the marriage to First Nation women brought
many other benefits to the fur traders: for example, women possessed a skill set and knowledge of
the land which was unknown to the traders; the woman could act as a mediator and translator
between the fur traders and the First Nations tribes; and in many cases the marriages enabled the
expansion of their trading territories through new First Nations partners.
In a more fulsome analysis, these marriages had an immense economic

Women In The Fur Trade
Women today and women in the fur trade are both very important. What was it like for the women
in the fur trade? What is it like for the women today? Isn't it hard to imagine what the women in the
fur trade had to do? The women today and the women in the fur trade made us who we are today.
The women today are so lucky. They have education and transportation. They get to vote and do
whatever job they want. They have more rights, and more resources. Women today have the
freedom of speech. They have stores, jobs,hospitals,schools and so much more. Women today
should be very grateful for what they have. Women in the fur trade are very important, they made
our history. After their husbands went hunting, the women would trade it with someone

Ecological Impact Of Fur Trade On American Culture
When the Europeans visitors started coming to North America they hoped to find vast amounts of
gold and silver, but they found something else, which proved to be just as valuable as furs. The
ecological impact of the fur trade on the Indians of the North America demonstrates that the Indians
were not the beneficiaries, but the victims in fur trade with all the other Europeans countries which
affected them socially, environmentally and economically. French and the English fisherman in
1500's were the first to purchase fur from the Indians, in exchange the Indians received European
manufactured goods such as knives, guns and steel blades, for example according to the text
Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic, Subarctic, and Northwest Coast. Ed said, "That could be fitted to
traditional adzes to cut more efficiently than stone or shell blades, yet initially spurned axe and
hatchet blades because these required a drastic change in motor habits and coordination patterns."1
Many fishermen abandoned fishing and made voyages to North America only to trade fur. At this
time none of the Europeans nor Frenchmen resided in Canada or along the Northeast coast of North
America, they simply traded and went back ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
By the 1750's almost every Indian man in the Great Lakes region owned a rifle, and Indian women
relied almost completely on other utensils. Most Indians wear clothes manufactured in Europe rather
than leather or fur. During summer, they lived in small villages which often consisted of several
hundred people. In these villages, they gathered fish and grew crops for food. In the winter, these
villages would split up in to small hunting bands. Furthermore Indians started their hunts earlier in
the winter, and focused on animals which produced valuable pelts and they migrated farther way
from the villages.

The Trade Of The Fur Trade
The Fur trade flourished in the beginning of the 1600's and prospered until the mid–1800. Some of
the most valuable items in the fur trade consisted of hats and pelts made from beaver. But what
caused the fall of the fur trade and why are furs and pelts no longer viewed as valuable as they were
hundreds of years ago. The act of trapping and skinning the fur from wild game is a lost art form
which still thrives in remote areas but not in most places like it did over 200 years ago. If the fur
trade was never introduced to North America and the people who inhabited it, then the U.S. and
Canada would not be the countries they are today, and would not have developed the trading posts
that existed along the entire Mississippi river, which allowed for new arriving Europeans to
colonize. The fur trade all began between the Native Americans and the Europeans in the early
1500's, the earliest amongst the Europeans being France. The French would offer the Native
Americans goods such as knifes, kettles and other goods to establish a good relationship with the
natives. The Native Americans began to give pelts in return, and this is where a huge demand for fur
began by the Europeans. Before trade was done in the interior of modern day Canada, the French
would arrive on shore and wait for the Native Americans to come to the shore to trade with them.
After the voyage lead from Christopher Columbus, a French voyageur by the name of Samuel de
Champlain, ended up in Northeastern Canada. He

How Did The Fur Trade Affect The Cree Indian Culture
In the 1800s the fur trade had a great impact on the lifestyle of the Cree Indians, both economically
and culturally. The fur trade helped the Natives make an income and obtain goods they could not get
before. However great the impact of the fur trading was on their economy, the decline in fur bearing
animals had a devastating effect on their culture. It can therefore be said that although the fur trade
had a positive short term impact on the Cree Indian's economy, in the long term, the cultural ways of
living that were adapted and lost impacted them negatively.
Early contact of the Europeans with the Cree allowed for the establishment of trading patterns.
Europeans discovered that the soft fur was ideal for processing into felt to decorate ... Show more
In addition to losing material such as ammunition and firearms that would have simplified their
hunting and fishing methods, the Europeans imposed their beliefs and ways of life onto the natives.
They imposed their religious beliefs on the Cree, gradually converting them to Christianity (Vance).
Also, because of alcoholism and diseases unknown to the Cree, the people were left with no
remedies to the illnesses, devastating the people in different ways. In addition to all that was brought
from the Europeans through the fur trade, the introduction to different farming and hunting manners
led them to alter their own way of life (Vance). The connection that was established between the
Cree and the Europeans impacted where the Cree decided to live and even "how they exploited the
resources on which the trade and their survival was founded" (Carlos, Lewis). This is important
because it demonstrates how the fur trade altered the Cree's lifestyle. This led to the Cree's slowly
forgetting how to hunt for their own food in their own ways. It becomes clear from the above, that
the Cree culture and their traditional lifestyle started to slowly fade away and tat the European way
of living introduce during the fur trade became more

The Evolving Canadian Fur Trade History
''The Evolving Canadian Fur Trade History''
Shayne Lloyd
History 1121
Thompson River University
August, 24 2016
''The Evolving Canadian Fur Trade History''
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

Beaver Fur Trade
Envisioning today's world without the events of the seventeenth century is a genuine awakening.
From the conquests of the Americas by the Europeans to traditional isolationist views in Asia, one
could sufficiently argue this period in history as being the catalyst that ushered in the interdependent
society enjoyed by those who presently inhabit the earth. Furthermore, the integration of people and
cultures led to numerous indispensable discoveries of goods in foreign lands. The global market
exploded as trade became prominent, and people's definition of amenity changed to that which
meant "they needed it because they wanted it." Slaves, blue and white china, silver, and spices are
only a few examples of what was available on the global market ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
This dish represents much more in the bigger scheme of the world than one might imagine. There
had been bitter conflict in the years prior to the rise in popularity of fine china in Europe between
the Dutch and Spanish. This fact is exemplified in the line, ". . . Spain was the [Dutch] arch–enemy:
Spain was the state that had occupied the Low Countries in the sixteenth century and had used
spectacular violence to suppress the Dutch independence movement" (Brook 64). Being Portugal
was in alliance with the Spanish made their vessels "fair game" to be apprehended at sea by the
Dutch. This occurred with the Dutch occupying the two Portuguese ships; San Iago and Santa
Catarina. Thus, it was by domination that the inaugural shipments of fine china made its way to the
Dutch country. Explaining the arrival of the acquired Portuguese goods in Amsterdam, Brooks
writes, "Onto the docks of that city emerged the first great trove of china to reach Holland, and
buyers from all over Europe fought for a piece" (Brooks 63). While some goods were traded or
confiscated to appease the masses' personal wants, other exchanges taking place in the time period
of Vermeer was solely for survival. This introduces the need for more than trade to survive. The
need for a recognized world currency was at

Effects Of Fur Trade On Native Americans
Long before European fur traders established their commerce on the North American continent, the
fur trade had a long lucrative history that impacted native Americans and their modes of life. As a
desirable and profitable good, fur was sought to "be the most valuable single item of trade." Soon, a
competitive market trade ground for fur emerged and the fur trade changed how Indian tribes
adapted from their previous habitats: they were the primary manufacturers. Eric Wolf then discusses
the consequences of the fur trade for different groups of Native American tribes both on the
concepts of dependency and on the levels of how social economic relationships are changed. To
support his claims, I will compare and contrast the experiences of the Abenaki

The Fur Trade
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. During
the eighteenth century in America, the beaver was one of the most widely hunted animals for its fur.
(Carlos) The furs or even the live animal ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It began with trading furs for food or other items, or presenting them as gifts to people of
importance. Furs have always represented high status, wealth, and power. Furs evolved into a
glamorous fashion trend, ranging from the trim on a pair of gloves to a near floor length coat. At
some point the meaning behind all of this was somehow lost. The pelts of animals are no longer
being traded for food and special goods. Many times they are farmed to further catapult a multi–
million dollar industry. Although the economic benefits are great, there are still many factors
concerning welfare that could be further considered. The fur trade is still very much a part of the
ever–growing urban

Fur Trade History
The fur trade industry is responsible for a great deal of the growth of North America into the
Canadian frontier we recognize today, particularly during the early contact period between
European settlers and Aboriginal groups that were living off the land prior to their arrival. Not only
was it one of the first major economic industries, the fur trade also played an extremely significant
role in shaping Canadian geography as we recognize it today. The competition between the
Hudson's Bay Company and the Northwest Company for access to furs, which was provided to
them primarily by Aboriginal people from various regions of the continent, each causing
development by an increasing need to establish trading posts deeper into the Canadian interior. ...
Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It is important to realize that women were real people leading real lives, and therefore have their
own histories, which they want to be acknowledged and respected.12 Women played very
significant roles in the development of industry itself, particularly (though not exclusively limited
to) the trade. Marriages between Europeans and aboriginal women, who were often the daughters of
traders, were used to strengthen trade relations. The result of these relationships was the birth of a
people who would be called the Métis. While the roles of women were more difficult to trace due to
ill–kept records "in the region around the Great Lakes, native and Métis women... at and around the
French posts" had several significant roles in their communities.13 Their participation in trade
culture spanned a very wide range, including activities like "spinning, supervision of market and
domestic gardening, managing livestock, keeping farm account books, and work as herbalists,
midwives, healers, miners, traders."14 England's dynamic, industrializing economy helped assure
that all of these occupations that were common during the seventeenth and early eighteenth
centuries. The trade industry subverted the gender imbalance and sexual division of labour due to
the disruption caused by the European trade. The trade

The Fur-Trade Era
The fur–trade era in the United States was from 1640 to 1820. The Ojibwe people became heavily
involved with the fur–trade and traded furs that they had for what they needed, instead of harvesting
and making goods for themselves. Types of goods that they traded furs for include traps, metal tools,
cloth, guns, beads, paint, and more. These new technologies changed their culture forever. A barter
trade system had already been implemented by the Ojibwe in their culture before their tribe came
into contact with any Europeans. Trade happened between the Ojibwe and the French and British
settlers from the east coast. In order to keep up with the demands of their traders, and to satisfy their
tribal needs, the Ojibwe people harvested beavers onto

American Fur Trade
There are a plethora of news sites, organizations, and establishments, all within the American fur
trade, that enjoy deceiving the general public with claims of a humane and safe fur trade. While
these claims seem to hold credibility, they fall flat once challenged with heavy evidence of cruelty
and peril. The fur trade should be outright banned from the United States as it excludes humane
methods of euthanasia, utilizes wretched methods of confinement, and as it acts as an extreme
health hazard. Trappers, farmers, retail stores, and any individual who accommodates this cruelty,
fails to take into consideration the lives of millions of animals, as well as their own health.
Although the evidence against statements of humane treatment and euthanasia ... Show more
Because of the fact that fur sheared from a dead animal will rot, manufacturers fight off decay
through the application of a slew of chemicals that are designed to prevent decomposition. The main
processing chemicals used are formaldehyde and chromium which are both linked to cancers, such
as leukemia. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, in the United States, has
"previously fined six fur processing plants for causing high levels of pollution and for using solvents
in fur dressing that "may cause respiratory problems..." (Hoskins, Tansy. "Is the Fur Trade
Sustainable?" The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 29 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.). Even
more unacceptable is the fact that fur production is unregulated. This leads to the incorrect labeling
of fur clothing which essentially leaves consumers ignorant about the severe chemicals that are
exposed. This horrid fashion statement not only threatens animals, even those that existed in
tremendous numbers, with extinction, but also threatens consumers with respiratory issues and
cancer. Essentially, both humans and animals encounter ultimate death as it has been found that fur
clothing contains carcinogens, which is any substance that is directly involved in causing cancer.
Altogether, it is more than apparent that the hazardous fur trade causes a greater amount of harm
than good.

Influence Of Fur Trade On American Culture
Chapter1.2
3.
In economic dimension, fur trade was profitable. It benefited not only Astor but also American at
that time. It exploited new and arid territories in American and stimulated the development of local
business. It created lots of employment opportunities.The fur was exported to European, China and
other countries which promoted international business.
In cultural dimension, fur trade influenced Indian and some tribes culture. During the trading with
the American fur company, they seduced Indians into drinking alcohol and getting a huge debt. New
trade goods made Indians to get new knowledge.
In technological dimension, thriving fur trade stimulated new technological innovation. Astor
introduced a steamboat, Yellowstone, which

How Did Americans Acquire Beaver Fur?
Jean Nicolet, landed at Red Banks Green Bay, in 1634. His arrival would lead to the popular trade
of Beaver fur in Green Bay, Wisconsin. While, there were many types of fur that would be traded in
this area, such as otter, white–tailed deer, badger, fox, muskrat, and bear, beaver by far was the most
to be desired. The allure for beaver fur was that the fur was entirely water proof. Water proof fur
was the most preferred at this time as majority of people during this period would work outside, i.e.:
farmers, or transporter of goods. Native Americans, would hunt for the beaver, and trade the furs for
goods from the French. The trade would take place at the outpost, and the items traded for fur would
be metal knives or tomahawks, kettles, guns and ammo, wool blankets, alcohol, or porcelain beads.
Beads not being a necessity were not the most common item traded. Yet, considering they were a
luxury item, those that were able to obtain beads, and particular dark blue beads (as these ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In Europe, many of the beavers were facing extinction, endangerment, or just non–existence in the
region. Beaver fur was so strongly desired that they were over hunted in Europe which, left for very
few beavers to find or hunt in the region. While, in the America's and particularly in Wisconsin, the
beaver population was verily massive as fur trade was non–existent before European settlers (but
later on due to fur trade the beaver population would face endangerment). What made Green Bay,
such a great place to trade was the accessibility to transport from point A to point B. Considering,
that during this era, roads were not yet established, the best way to get around was by water. Green
Bay, offered an area surrounded by body of water, thus made the transport of fur trade much more
effective and

George Bonga And The Fur Trade
The fur trade was one of the earliest and most important industries during the 16th,17th, and 18th
centuries. The fur trade began in the 1500's as an exchange between Indians and Europeans. The
Indians traded furs for such goods as tools and weapons. Beaver fur, which was used in Europe to
make felt hats, became the most valuable of these furs. The fur trade prospered until the mid–1800's,
when fur–bearing animals became scarce and silk hats became more popular than felt hats made
with beaver. The fur trade contributed to the development of British and French empires in North
America. During the 1600's, the prospect of wealth from the fur trade attracted many Europeans to
the New World. The Indians of North America began trading furs with ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Although fur trade did continue in many other areas. It continued until the 1850s, but in many ways
it was a declining business as early as the 1820s. Beaver had become over–hunted by the 1790s, and
by the 1820s the species was nearly extinct in southern Wisconsin (Wisconsin U). Some species
such as muskrat, deer, and marten remained abundant, but prices for these pelts were often low.
Moreover, once the government began buying the Indians' land, in the 1830s, the Indians had an
alternative source of income. Traders still took furs, but during the 1830s and 1840s they made more
money selling goods to the Indians in exchange for their annuity money from land sales. In the
1850s, the Indians lived on reservations and could no longer harvest furs in their old hunting
grounds (Wisconsin U). Numerous Indians swung to different types of job, especially logging and
timber factories. The American Fur Company stopped operations in 1842 when it sold its interests in
the upper Mississippi valley to Pierre Chouteau, Jr., and Company of St. Louis. By 1854, the
partners who shaped this organization had stopped the fur trade and moved into different
organizations. A little gathering of men assumed control over the American Fur Company's
operations at Mackinac Island in 1834, yet by 1854 this worry had likewise closed down. The Great
Lakes

Fur Trade In Western Canada
The fur trade was not a clearly European invention; it started as a piece of larger and very old motif
of trade between native people. This is the fact that explains why so many native groups across
North America adapted to trade with Europeans so rapidly. There is no absolute explanation, that
who and where fur trade started. The documenting of written history in Western Canada begins with
the formation of fur trade and in 1670 the Hudson Bay Company was established which dominated
the western development. It all started when the Europeans came to Canada, during that period, the
fur trade was operated by the Europeans and the Aboriginal peoples. To establish a relation with
Canada, Europeans started marrying Aboriginal women's who helped ... Show more content on
Helpwriting.net ...
Missionaries again condemned the custom of mixed–blood marriages and supported to marry white
women who were started to arrive. As the fur trade reduced and agricultural communities extended,
abuse raised and many women were then deserted by their husbands. In 1846, Hudson's Bay
Company started to create rules regarding relationship and in "Standing Rules and Regulations"
they said that these marriages were conducted without the attendance of clergy and were according
to "custom of

Canadian Fur Trade Analysis
Canada should be considered a product of two nations
France and Britain's arrival and settlement in Canada had made an economic, political and cultural
contribution to the foundation of the nation at such a level that Canada should be considered a
product of two nations. It all started with the first French settlers that were drawn to Canada because
of its resources. French were the first Europeans to have a vision of the fur trade potential in
Canada. According to the historian Christopher Moore, it was Samuel de Champlain who achieves
the permanent settlement of Europeans in what was called New France and in consequence he
becomes a major figure in Canadian culture heritage (Brune, 2003, p. 94). His relationship with the
aboriginal peoples ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The victory of Britain over New France in the Seven Years' War ended with the Treaty of Paris of
1763. This conquest resulted in the reinforcement of Roman Catholic Church and old feudal system
of the Quebec society in the late 18th century and emergence of a Quebec identity (Body, n.d.).
During the war men were needed so women took the responsibility to keep working the farms and
businesses. Aboriginal people were alert to the advance of the British because they were concerned
about their lands. As the historian Olive Dickason says, while the defeat of France was a bitter blow
to French Canadians, it was a disaster for the Aboriginal nations of Quebec, of the east coast, of the
Great Lakes region, and of the northwest (Brune, 2003, p. 177). After the war, Aboriginal people
started loosing their land because of the English invasion, which were controlling most of their
lands. British wanted to change New France to their system but couldn't achieved it at the
beginning, but after the conquest of British they were be able to dominated them with the time.
Respecting to the English economic contribution to Canada, after the Royal Proclamation of 1763
and the Quebec Act of 1774, mercantilism was still an important economic fundamental in Canada.
The colonies in North America were to provide the sugar, tobacco,

Origins Of The Fur Trade
At the very end of the 15th century or early 16th century the fur trade began to emerge on a very
small scale along the coast of the United States; it was conducted by fishermen and other coastal
sailors. Major trade goods from this period of trade were unique because they did not include
standard European domestic or trade objects, instead the sailors traded parts stripped from their
ships such as metal bolts and brass rings from their rigging, perishables such as woolen fabrics and
hemp, and personal goods such as the earrings they wore to ward off bad eyesight, fishing knives,
and blue glass beads that were worn as protection against the evil eye (Whitthoft 1966:204–205;
Sempowski 2007). At this time the Iroquois had no direct contact with Europeans but received a
small number of European goods that moved in from the coast along the established trade ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Beginning in 1580 Basque fur traders brought copper kettles and other fine quality goods to the gulf
of St. Lawrence, which they distributed directly to Native groups in the surrounding coastal areas.
The goods traveled southward down the St. Lawrence river and to Lake Ontario to the Neutral,
Huron, and Petun Nations. The distinctive Basque copper kettles are found in many sites along this
network but no whole kettles appear to have reached any of the Five Nations. Instead evidence
shows that after the kettles reached the northern shores of Lake Ontario they were used until they
were worn out or broken and then the pieces of scrap copper were repurposed as personal decoration
or traded with the Iroquois Nations. Once the Basque copper scrap reached the Iroquois and
Susquehannock it was often fashioned into the characteristic hoops and

Women in Between Essay
Course Code: HIST 200
Instructor: Dr. Jim Wood
Student # 1011080
Date: March 25, 2012
"Women in Between": Indian Women in Fur Trade Society in Western Canada", written by Sylvia
Van Kirk assesses the lives of Indian women in the fur trade. The article expresses both the positive
and negative aspects of being an Indian woman in the fur trade as well as their motives for marrying
European fur traders. The article contributes to our understanding of the fur trade society by
focusing on the motives and actions of Indian women in the fur trade which furthers our knowledge
of Canadian history prior to confederation.
Sylvia Van Kirk used a vast selection of sources when writing the article on the Women in Between.
The article ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The article contributes to our understanding of the fur trade society by focusing on the motives and
actions of Indian women in the fur trade which further our knowledge of Canadian history prior to
confederation. There are various other articles, books and journals available in which we can draw
some information on the history of Indian women in the fur trade. Unfortunately, as is noted in
various readings on this topic, Indian women, coming from a non–literate society, have not left us
with any writings of their own views of their motivates for being in the fur trade or deciding to
leave. The only historical reference of the lives of women in the fur trade is written by men and
mostly European men. Women in Between examines through multiple sources of traders
observation, the life of an Indian women in the fur trade based on the accounts provided by men.
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

Women In the Fur Trade
Aboriginal women had occupied an essential position in the fur trade of the North American region
from its birth during the 17th and 18th centuries. Even though this is true, the role of women,
especially those of the Native American society, has been ignored a great deal in the entire history of
fur trade. Contrary to the belief that the whole fur trade activity was only male–dominated, it very
much depended upon Native women and their participation and labor in order to ensure survival as
well as economic success. This paper will attempt to illuminate how Native women played the role
as important producers when it comes to fur trade of the American Plains and, of course, the
Canadian region. This paper will also deal with the two ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The fur traders could not help but learn many different and essential survival skills, and other skills
in general, from their God–given Aboriginal wives. These women paved the way for the knowledge
of which plants could be edible, held the important and amazing knowledge of medicinal properties
of certain plants, acted as pack mules, tanned the furs and hides for clothing and were the mothers of
the new nation: the Métis. Miller 4 The fur traders learned skills such as the language and the
customs of the people whom their wives' derived from. If a woman, for instance, from a group of
Aboriginal Peoples married a trader, she frequently acted as a peacemaker and interpreter among her
own people as well as the traders. The women tried to help their husbands have conversations and
communicate well with Aboriginal Peoples. And this improved their overall trading relationship.
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

Rocky Mountain Fur Trade

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