In Rupert’s Land Prior to Confederation

Cultural Contact Rupert’s Land was a large northern territory in what is now central Canada Rupert’s Land was a large northern territory in what is now central Canada It was granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company by King Charles II of England in 1670 It was granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company by King Charles II of England in 1670 From 1670 to 1869, the Hudson’s Bay Company charter gave the HBC the ability to control all trading north and west of the Great Lakes From 1670 to 1869, the Hudson’s Bay Company charter gave the HBC the ability to control all trading north and west of the Great Lakes

European and Aboriginal Contact Aboriginal groups in the area included Inuit and First Nations Aboriginal groups in the area included Inuit and First Nations The Woodland Cree and the Siksika were 2 First Nation groups important in the settling of the west and the fur trade The Woodland Cree and the Siksika were 2 First Nation groups important in the settling of the west and the fur trade In the late 1700’s and 1800’s there were less Europeans in Western Canada then in Eastern Canada, but First Nations were still affected by Europeans through trade, and demands for land and resources In the late 1700’s and 1800’s there were less Europeans in Western Canada then in Eastern Canada, but First Nations were still affected by Europeans through trade, and demands for land and resources

Rupert’s Land

The H.B.C. got it’s name because of this land grant, which gave them control of the area where the rivers flow into the Hudson Bay The H.B.C. got it’s name because of this land grant, which gave them control of the area where the rivers flow into the Hudson Bay Early European explorers and fur traders found survival in North America difficult. Early European explorers and fur traders found survival in North America difficult.

First Nations Influence Europeans had to learn new skills and knowledge, and acquire new technology to survive in Rupert’s Land Europeans had to learn new skills and knowledge, and acquire new technology to survive in Rupert’s Land First Nations people knew the environment, so they shared information and supplied food, with the Europeans First Nations people knew the environment, so they shared information and supplied food, with the Europeans First Nations were the main First Nations were the main labour force in the fur trade labour force in the fur trade

European Influence In exchange, Europeans gave goods like guns, blankets and metal In exchange, Europeans gave goods like guns, blankets and metal Over time, European male fur traders began to marry First Nations and Metis women, and they began to assimilate in one another’s culture Over time, European male fur traders began to marry First Nations and Metis women, and they began to assimilate in one another’s culture