The Role of Native and Métis Women in the Western Fur Trade
Final Research Paper
The Role of Native and Métis Women In the Western Fur Trade
Over time, the power that Native women held with in their tribe has unfortunately digressed. During the age of exploration Native women have played key roles in the western fur trade. Native women assisted the fur traders by being liaison between the Europeans and Natives. This role was fundamental in strengthening trade increasing the economic stability of the post. They acted as guides for the European traders who often found themselves in dangerous and unfamiliar territory. Finally, they provided an intimate relationship for the European traders, and played a pragmatic role as a domesticated wife. However in order to fully understand the magnitude of the role Native women played in the fur trade, it is crucial to deconstruct the ethnocentric and biased perspectives of the male-centered, Euro-Canadian interpretation of this part in history.
The earliest merchants in North America were the people of the First Nations. Initially they traded amongst themselves. When Europeans set foot onto North American soil in the 16th century, trading relationships between first nations people and Europeans were formed. Europeans explored the east cost of mainland North America. They traded with the natives they met. They traded knives, hatchets, and beads to the Indians for fur and meat. Native trappers brought furs from the interior to the St. Lawrence River and traded there for manufactured goods from Europe. These goods included iron tools, wool blankets, colorful cloth, and guns. Over time trade relations began to grow and demand for furs in Europe increased. The fur trade became a significant industry for economic stability in North America. As long time rivals, the French and English traders continued to compete for furs, increasing demand and economic stability. The French continued to compete with the English for management of the trade in Rupert’s land and feared the level of English
The Role of Native and Métis Women In the Western Fur Trade
Over time, the power that Native women held with in their tribe has unfortunately digressed. During the age of exploration Native women have played key roles in the western fur trade. Native women assisted the fur traders by being liaison between the Europeans and Natives. This role was fundamental in strengthening trade increasing the economic stability of the post. They acted as guides for the European traders who often found themselves in dangerous and unfamiliar territory. Finally, they provided an intimate relationship for the European traders, and played a pragmatic role as a domesticated wife. However in order to fully understand the magnitude of the role Native women played in the fur trade, it is crucial to deconstruct the ethnocentric and biased perspectives of the male-centered, Euro-Canadian interpretation of this part in history.
The earliest merchants in North America were the people of the First Nations. Initially they traded amongst themselves. When Europeans set foot onto North American soil in the 16th century, trading relationships between first nations people and Europeans were formed. Europeans explored the east cost of mainland North America. They traded with the natives they met. They traded knives, hatchets, and beads to the Indians for fur and meat. Native trappers brought furs from the interior to the St. Lawrence River and traded there for manufactured goods from Europe. These goods included iron tools, wool blankets, colorful cloth, and guns. Over time trade relations began to grow and demand for furs in Europe increased. The fur trade became a significant industry for economic stability in North America. As long time rivals, the French and English traders continued to compete for furs, increasing demand and economic stability. The French continued to compete with the English for management of the trade in Rupert’s land and feared the level of English
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