The Six Elements of the Fur Trade Canada Moves West

Native people Trapping skills, knowledge of area They trapped beaver for food and pelts. They knew the lakes and streams where the beaver lived. Expert trappers Lived in the Great Lakes region of the St. Lawrence River Hurons became the middle men between the Europeans and the Cree trappers. Operated a "trucking service" along the river- transporting goods back and forth Iroquois concerned about trade (jealous) Led to war

Beavers Provided raw materials for valuable products Today the beaver is Canada's national emblem. Fur trade depended on the beaver- most prized fur. Many were available Have waterproof, hardy fur

Fashion Reason for Europeans arriving in great numbers (to get furs) Fur trade depended on the need for furs for fashion in France. Furs used to trim robes for Kings, wealthy nobles, and Church Beaver fur most popular Beaver pelts used for wraps, boots, but mostly hats. "Castor gras d’hiver" was the type of the beaver pelts they wanted- made the best hats.

Coureurs de bois When the Hurons stopped acting as go- between, the French had to collect furs themselves. They made friends with the Native people. They lived with Native people and learned skills- handling a canoe, survival They traded + brought furs to merchants of Montreal and Quebec. Coureurs de bois means "runners of the woods". By 1678, there were about 600 of them. Government and Church against people leaving settlement to become coureurs de bois. The governor passed new law- traders had to have permits- only a limited number given. Those who had trading permits were called voyageurs.

Birchbark Canoes Canoes necessary to deliver furs. They were able to use canoes to travel quite far inland. Canoes could carry a lot of cargo. Major disadvantage- canoes could be easily damaged. Fur trade would not have expanded without them.

Merchants They brought goods from France & shipped them to the colony to trade for furs. Goods were stored in warehouses in Montreal and Quebec along the St. Lawrence river. Merchants transported furs to France. Clothes, blankets, tools, guns, gun powder, brandy were popular trade items Alcohol caused a lot of trouble- Native people not used to its effects.