First Nations Women in the Fur Trade Vital

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Great Book on First Nations Women in the Fur Trade