2D: Hudson’s Bay Company We were Caesars, there being nobody to contradict us -Pierre Radisson

Fur Traders

Relationship of Equals European fur traders want furs (beaver esp.) Native people profit too (tools, pots, beads) Interior Native groups collect furs, trade to Natives in contact with Europeans (who also collect furs). Europeans can benefit from well-established trading routes

Consequences Aboriginal vs. Aboriginal conflicts (eg. wars between Iroquois and Huron) European vs. European conflicts (Company of 100 Associates vs. Hudson’s Bay Co.) fight for monopolies. – Co of 100 Associates collapses with fall of New France in 1763, replaced by North West Co – NWC vs HBC rivalry benefits Natives – Explore into the west of Canada to get more furs!

Why?

Hats? Really? Undercoat of beaver fur cut from pelts Fur matted, beaten, then shellacked (varnished) to make felt Felt shaped into hats Why? – They were warm and shed rain – Fashion statement (status symbol)

HBC

Who? Pierre Radisson and Médart de Groseilliers – Were coureurs de bois (French fur traders) – Radisson had been prisoner of Mohawk, knew language and customs. – Groseilliers learned from Huron about untouched lands N. of Lake Superior. – Both went and traded w/Cree, proved good furs available. – New France gov’t confiscated furs, refused to trade around Hudson’s Bay. – Go to London to Charles II and his cousin, Prince Rupert—they want in.

Economic Imperialism Charles II (and P.R.) want to dominate N. America through $$. Send R & G back to HB—when they bring back gorgeous furs, C II and PR claim all the land draining into Hudson’s Bay. « Rupert’s Land » Start company (in PR’s name) called “Governor and Company of Adventurers of England Tradeing into Hudson’s Bay” = HBC

Rupert’s Land All land draining into Hudson’s Bay.

Setup Posts, staffed by Europeans. Boss of each post called “Factor” (posts called “Factories”) Natives (Cree, Assiniboin and Chippewa) bring furs to the factory in summer. Ships arrive from Europe in summer. Factors largely independent (directors of HBC know nothing about life in Rupert’s Land)

Nonsuch First ship to bring furs from HB to England. On 300 th anniversary, of HBC a replica was built as part of the celebration. Now, the replica is in the Museum of Man and Nature in Winnipeg (you can walk on it! Very cool!)

How’d it go? Aboriginals happy – Cut out middle men – Got decent prices – More convenient – Could refuse to trade good furs if price was bad European directors happy – Good profit – Excellent quality furs

…con’t Local Factors and employees not so happy – Factors had some independence – Long hours, much physical labour – HB colder than North Pole (no ocean currents). – Cold weather up to 9 months of year – Temps as low as -63°, snow usually 3-4 m deep – Up to 30 cm of ice INSIDE buildings – Short summer, LOTS of bugs (see p. 262)

What was a Factory Like?

…con’t Small (about the size of a corner store) Sold: – items for hunting/trapping (guns, fish-hooks, gunpowder, nets) – everyday items (blankets, pots, kettles, handkerchiefs, shirts, foods) – decorative items (buttons, silver, copper, beads) Value in MB (prime, adult beaver fur)

Trading Ceremonies Made a ceremony & party of the summer trade season – Ceremony showed respect for Natives by Factors Peace Pipe (Plains ceremonial pipe) Discussion of the year’s events Factors give uniform, gifts to Native leader Factors dress up for the ceremony Natives paraded back to their camp Huge feast to celebrate opening of trade for the year