1. The Battle of the Fur Trade
Chapter 4
SS 10
NAULT

2. The Battle for the Fur Trade (1800- 1810)
In 1800 the competition between
HBC and NWC became fierce!
The number of furs was decreasing because of over hunting
Both companies moved deeper inland to gain control of new resources

3. Battle for the Fur Trade
The NWC was especially aggressive
Established new posts in present day British Columbia and in northern Canada
Both companies opened forts beside the competition and promised more valuable goods than their rivals VS

4. The NWC and the Metis People
As the NWC continued to move west, the began staying for the winter with local groups
Because they were spending extensive amounts of time with the First Nations people, a number of fur traders married the daughters of Native families
Both the NWC and the Metis supported these marriages
The NWC thought it was a good idea because it would form stronger trade relations between them and the First Nations people

5. The NWC and The Metis People
Wives of fur traders enjoyed an improved standard of living and their lives were generally easier than most women
By 1800, some 4000 voyaguers were living in the Northwest and many of them had married Native women

6. The HBC and the Metis People
In contrast, to the NWC being supportive of these marriages,
HBC employees were FORBIDDEN to marry First Nations people
This was because the HBC was concerned about having to support too many dependants
They tried to enforce a policy of celibacy among it’s employees
HOWEVER, IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL…

7. The Metis
By the early 19th century, a sizable number of people living in the Northwest were of European and Native ancestry
A new culture was evolving!
They began to think of themselves as their own culture
They were originally called bois brule (means “burnt wood”) by 1800, they changed their name to Metis (means “mixed”)

8. The Metis
They usually spoke French or a combination of their Native tongue and French
They were usually Roman Catholic
They developed communities and a lifestyle that combined both French and Native customs

9. The Metis- The Bison Hunt
The Metis hunted bison seasonally
The hunt took place in the early summer and autumn and had several purposes
fresh meat
Hides
Meat and fat made pemmican

10. What is Pemmican?
To make pemmican the Indians began by cutting meat into thin slices or strips and drying it either in the sun or over a fire. After the meat was dried, it was spread out on a stone-headed mauls and then pounded. This pounded meat was called "beat meat" by the natives. "Beat meat" was then mixed with melted fat and marrow. Sometimes a paste made of fruits or berries were added to this mixture. 

11. The Metis- The Bison Hunt
The hunt was a spectacular event that involved the whole community
They used Red River carts and horses for the hunt
They used guns called muzzle- loaders
The hunt was extremely dangerous- death and seriously injury was common
Story of Metis vs Sioux fight- pg 142

12. THINGS ARE HEATING UP!
In 1812, the rivalry between the NWC and the HBC would be pushed to the point of WARFARE!!
Louis Riel
Lord Selkirk

13. LET’S SEE IF YOU WERE LISTENING…
Name the two fur trading companies.
Name one trading policy of each.
Explain how each company felt about employees having relationships with First Nations people.
Explain the family heritage of a Metis person.
What was the original name for the Metis people?
What animal was hunted by the Metis people for food, clothing and shelter?