2. First Nations Women in the Fur Trade
Vital to the Trade
Roles in the Trade
Marriage and Legacy

3. Vital to the Trade First Nations women made the Fur Trade possible
Involved in every aspect of the fur trade
Participated in traditional male sphere of the economy

4. Working with Furs
First Nations women assisted in the collection, transportation, and processing of the furs
Cleaned and prepped furs for trade with HBC and NWC

5. Transportation
First Nations women kept the canoes in working condition so to allow the fur to be transported
EX. Gathered pine gum to make and repair canoes
Without First Nations women, the fur trade would have come to a grinding halt

6. Travel on Foot
First Nations women responsible for providing a steady supply of moccasins and snow shoes
The most reliable and necessary footwear for the Northwest

7. Caretaker at Home
First Nations women were caretakers of the home as they provided food, medicine, clothing, shelter, and guidance
Gathered, preserved, and rationed a steady supply of food
Women often controlled food distribution
Passed on traditional knowledge of healing

8. Vital for Exploration
HBC and NWC explorers and traders required First Nations women as guides of the Northwest
Helped locate hunting grounds, First Nations Bands, trade posts, shelter, and water
Caretaking skills helped keep Europeans alive

9. Middleman Role
First Nations women kept the peace between Europeans and First Nations by taking on the roles of:
Translators/ interpreters
Negotiators
Peace keepers

10. The Importance of Marriage
Marriage between First Nations women and male European traders solidified relations with First Nations bands
Created the Métis people

11. Marriage in the custom of the country
Marriage between First Nations women and male European traders was more a verbal oath than a legal binding contract
Many First Nations wives abandoned after White European women immigrated to Canada

12. Great Book on First Nations Women in the Fur Trade