1. The Voyageurs Life

3. Intense rivalry soon escalated between the two fur trading companies.
–The Northwest to 1870–
Intense rivalry soon escalated between the two fur trading companies.

4. Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
–The Northwest to 1870–
Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
In the Northwest, the NWC relied on canoes to move goods. These canoes were made of birchbark stretched over a wood frame.

5. Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
–The Northwest to 1870–
Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
Canot de Maitre:
11 metres long and a 1.5 metres wide,
Carried about 4000 kg of cargo, and
Paddled by crew of 12, and
For the journey from
Fort William to
Montréal.

6. Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
–The Northwest to 1870–
Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
Canot du Nord:
7 metres long and a
metre wide,
Carried about 1500 kg of
cargo, and
Paddled by crew of 6.

7. Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
–The Northwest to 1870–
Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
The HBC developed the York Boat.
It was about 13 metres long,
Could be rowed or sailed by a crew of 6 to 8,
Could carry a cargo of kg.
Shortcoming: Difficult to portage.

8. Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
–The Northwest to 1870–
Canoes, Boats, and the Portage
To get from one river system to another, or if waters were not navigable, voyageurs would have to portage.

10. HBC NWC Headquarters in Montréal “Stay at the Bay” Had to deal
With short
season due to ice
Top-down hierarchy
Had partners run the
Business (hivernants)
who shared the profits.
Relied on Natives to
bring furs to trading posts
Furs all were destined
For Europe
“Factors” were British
Employed voyageurs and
explorers
Did not bargain in deals
Both relied on First
Nations for trade
Alcohol was not involved
in trades
Established a depot at
Fort William
Both used river valleys
To transport goods by
Boat.
Most trade activity was
In area surrounding
Hudson’s Bay
Encouraged marriage
With FN women
Both moved further
West to get furs
Headquarters was in
London
Traded alcohol
For fur
Employees were on salary
Allowed bargains