Aboriginal vs Non-aboriginal The Fur Trade in Canada Land Based vs Maritime HBC vs NWC Women vs Men Aboriginal vs Non-aboriginal

Hudson’s Bay Company - The Flag of the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) - Founded in 1670 by King Charles II

Fort Vancouver established by the Hudson Bay Company

The Mighty York Boat

HBC Main Points: British company founded 1670 by a Royal Charter signed by King Charles II “Stay at the Bay” policy with Native trappers coming to them with furs Very Hierarchical (like the military, rank was very important) Controlled and traded in an area roughly 1/3 the size of modern Canada. All employees made a salary (no sharing in profits or losses) Main fort was York Factory

Map of Rupert’s Land

The Fight is On!!! Challenge to the HBC domination of the fur trade in Canada. Enter the North West Company

The North West Company 1783 several companies trading furs merged into the North West Company Although owned by English Canadians, French traders were employed. Workers shared in the profits or losses of the company. Origin of Métis (French & First Nation). Based in Montreal and traded throughout the North West.

The NWC Canoes Fur Trade

North West Company Much less hierarchical or “top-down” than the HBC. The “Montreal partners” stayed in Montreal and traded the furs to London The “wintering partners” stayed in the North West and did the actual trading and trapping. They were partners, not employees and thus shared in the profits the NWC made.

1820 Trading Coin

Map of NWC Trading Area

Captain James Cook Born in England Explored New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and the west Coast of North America (Vancouver Island) - Was killed in Hawaii

Captain George Vancouver Born in England Captain in the British Navy Explored and mapped a lot of the Pacific West Coast (British Columbia, Alaska, Oregon & Washington State)

Alexander Mackenzie Born in Scotland Family moved to America, but then moved to Montreal during the American Revolution - Completed the first transcontinental crossing of North America when he made it to the Pacific Ocean for the North West Company

Simon Fraser Born in America Father died in the American Revolution Raised in Quebec Worked in the North West Company - Explored much of BC

David Thompson Born in England He mapped around 2 million square km of western North America - He worked for both the Hudson Bay and the North West Company Was an English Canadian fur trader, map maker and explorer - Married to a Cree wife for 58 years and had 13 kids

HBC vs NWC In 1821 the two companies decided to end their competition for the furs and join together under one name. The new company would still be known as the Hudson’s Bay Company because it was the HBC that, under the Royal Charter, still controlled the route from the Hudson Bay.

By 1870 the Fur Trade was almost over… The fur trade had slowly dissolved, partially due to the lack of furs and also the lack of Indigenous people who were willing to assist in trapping and trading the furs. The change in style in Europe from fur to silk was the final blow to the North American Fur Trade. At the end of the fur trade many traders went to work on the rail road, mining and lumbering.

What made the Fur Tade business work?? How was the Maritime Fur Trade the same/different compared to the Land Based Fur Trade? What role did women play in the business? What was the impact of the Fur Trade in Canada? Was the experience different in BC?