Children of the Fur Trade The Métis Children of the Fur Trade

Marriage French Canadian Fur Traders began marrying the daughters of local First Nations families Created social connections Solidified trade partnerships Marriage in the Custom of the Country

Métis: Children of the Fur Trade Around 1810 children of French Canadians and First Nations began to refer to themselves as Métis Métis French word for Mixed Spoke a distinct language called Michif Roman Catholic Religion

Métis The Constitution Act, 1982, recognized the Métis as one of Canada's founding aboriginal peoples. The Supreme Court accepted a definition of "Métis" as a person who self-identifies as Métis, and who is from a historic Métis community.

Settlement in the Red River Valley Métis settled near the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in modern day Southern Manitoba Part of Rupert’s Land HBC encouraged Métis to settle Some of the best farm land on the Prairies Farms laid out in long narrow lots starting at the river Grew hay behind river lots

Bison and the Hunt was a central part of Métis life Why Important: Provided meat and hides Main source of food Provided a strong sense of community pride and discipline

Buffalo Runners Horses used by hunters high speed and agility specially trained for the hunts

Red River Carts Used in the Buffalo Hunt transport the meat from the hunting grounds and for trade Women and children drove the Red River carts pulled by horses

Pemmican Pemmican was a main staple in the Métis Diet A high calorie and high protein food made out of dried Bison meat pounded into a paste and mixed with melted fat and berries

Pemmican important to the Métis Economy and Life style Portable and packed with energy Modern day energy bars Could be stored for years in leather bags Important source of income for the Métis - Sold to NWC traders on long journey’s

Devastation of the Bison The fur trade led to an increase in the bison hunt Bison herds that were once numbered in the millions were almost wiped out Many First Nations communities faced starvation and forced to depend on the government for assistance

The Price of Fashion Fur Bearing animals almost hunted to extinction due to demand for fashion First nations now dependent on the fur trade have no supply to trade for European goods Many First Nations families faced starvation, dependent on government assistance, and forced to relocate