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The Role of Native Peoples in the Fur Trade

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OUTCOMES In this chapter, you will read about the role of the fur trade in the creation of the country of Canada. By the end of this chapter, you wilt •outline the role of the fur trade in Canada • understand that the fur trade is an example of economic imperialism •describe the function and duties of fur traders • use problem-solving strategies •identify factors that created conflicts in the fur trade ® describe the economics of the fur trade •evaluate the importance of rivers and other geographic elements to the spread and success of the Canadian fur trade * compare European and Native perspectives on the fur trade el MMMMMM Sixteen Years in the Indian Country: The Journal of Daniel Williams Harmon In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, few people in eastern North America or Europe had any knowledge of the Inhabitants or geography of western North America. This was still a largely unknown territory. The first accounts of the west came from fur traders. In this window, you will read some of the entries in the journals of Daniel Williams Harmon, who was chief trader at the North West Company fur post at Fort St. fames in northcentral British Columbia (New Caledonia) between 1810 and 1816. Prior to this, Harmon had spent some time on the prairies, where he had married a Mitts woman named Elizabeth Duval. The couple had twelve children. Harmon's book, Sixteen Years in the Indian Country, describes life in New Caledonia. We can learn something about the lives of the Carrier and Sekani peoples, as well as about the lives of the fur traders. In spite of having married a mitis woman, and having valued her and their children. Harmon expressed many of the prejudices of his day towards the Native peoples. As you read his journal, look for examples of bias. ovember 8, 1810. [Arrived at Stuart's Lake] Our road here has Nbeen over uneven Country, generally covered with thick Timber—however, we passed several small Lakes ... [Fort St. James] stands in a very pleasant place at the East end of what is now called Stuart's Lake. [Close to] the Fort a considerable River runs out of the Lake, where the Natives who call themselves Ta cullies [actually the Nakrzali-tenne, one of the Carrier nations] have a village or rather a few small Huts made of wood where they remain during the Salmon time—that is, while they are taking and drying those Fish. A map of the places mentioned in Harmon's journal 251 EEEEEEE m II U smite iimium•fi iF MMMMMMMMMM November 24, 1811. The Corpse that a few Days hence the Tuly 6, 1811. One of my Men has of a Woman of this place who navigation will be open All returned from McLeod's Lake, died on the 20th was burnt this my most serious thoughts are and says there are Indians afternoon as it is the custom taken up on reflecting on that who as is supposed are watching among the TA cullies always to separation which is soon to take for a favourable opportunity to burn their Dead and then gather place with me and my beloved attack the Fort. up the Ashes, which they put Son—who a few months hence into a kind of Box, that is placed will be at such an immense August 2, 1811. Five Salmon is under a Shed erected for that distance from his affectionate all the provisions we have in the purpose—while the Corpse was Father! And it is very probable Fort & we are no less than ten burning the Natives made a that I shall never see Him again persons and what will become terrible Savage noise, by crying in this World? .... There is no of us unless the Salmon begin and a kind of Singing consideration that could induce soon to make their appearance in me to send him down (especially the River. However, we cannot May 8, 1811. [On April 22 while so young) but the thoughts believe that we shall be allowed Harmon had travelled to that he will soon be in the arms to starve. McLeod's Lake] People arrived of my kind Relations who will ... from Stuart's Lake and inform bring him up in the paths of September 2, 1811. We now have me that my Woman on the 25th virtue in the civilized part of the salmon in abundance which the was brought to bed of a World, which it could not be Natives [the Carrier] take in the Daughter—whom I name Polly possible for me to do in this following manner: They make a Harmon. As the Ice in the River Savage Country. Dam across the River and at begins to be bad, it is expected certain places leave spaces, Fur traders arriving at the fort 252 Snowshoes and dog teams were essential for winter travel. where they put a kind of long October 7, 1811. [Chief Kwah, of altogether unpleasant to the ears Basket Net, which generally is the Carrier] sent one of his wives of Civilized People ... about fifteen feet [4.5 metres] in to request me, either to come circumference & fifteen [4.5 and see him, or to send him December 13, 1811. Our goods metres] or twenty [6 metres] in some medicine ... A few days were drawn on sledges by dogs. length, one end of which is made after, he became so well as to be Each pair of dogs drew a load of like a wire Mouse Trap, & into able to hunt; and he killed and two hundred and fifty pounds that the Salmon enter, but when brought home a number of [113 kilograms], besides once in cannot go out, till the beavers, with which he yesterday provisions for themselves and Basket is taken ashore, when made a feast. He sent an their driver, which would make they open a Door made for that invitation to me to attend this the whole load about three purpose & turn them out, and in feast; and I concluded it would hundred pounds [136 kilograms]. one of those Baskets they will be necessary for me to go, or he I have seen many dogs, two of often take four or five hundred might think I was afraid of him which would draw on a sledge, Salmon that will weigh five to [a few days earlier, Harmon and five hundred pounds seven pounds [2 to 3 kilograms] the Chief had had a serious [227 kilograms], twenty miles each.... Just as they are taken out argument] ... the women came [33 kilometres], in five hours. For of the water they are good eating, in with large Dishfulls of Berries, a short distance, two of our but when cured as these Indians and of them every one ate what stoutest dogs will draw more are wont to do by drying them in he liked and then the Men & than a thousand pounds weight the Sun, they are not at all Women joined in singing a few [454 kilograms]. In short there is palatable. songs—the airs of which are not no animal, with which I am 253 acquainted, that would be able to those of the Savages ... They but, they made many savage render half the service that our readily conceded, that ours were gestures, as if in defiance. But dogs do, in this country, where superior to theirs. after we told them that we had the snow is very deep in the not come to war upon them, but winter season. fanuary 20, Thursday, 1812. to bring them such articles as I accompanied by Mr. McDougall they stood in need of, in January 1, 1812. This being the & twelve of our People and also exchange for their Furs we ever first Day of the year, Mr. two Carriers, set off for the Nate- after were treated with much McDougall & I Dined with all ote-tains Lands, a Tribe that respect and great hospitality. our People in the Hall, and after never had any intercourse with prejudice: a pre-held opinion or feeling, our repast was over I invited White People & after searching independent of experience; an several of the Sicanny [Sekani] Hard Seven Days generally upon unfavourable bias and Carrier chiefs & most the Lakes we arrived at their first considerable: quite large respectable Men [nobles( among Village, whose inhabitants were corpse: a dead body them, to come and partake of not a little surprised and alarmed navigation: the ice on the lakes and rivers what we had remaining—and I to see People among them of so would have melted must acknowledge that I was different a complexion from to send down: "down" refers to the east, surprised to see them behave where life was mare settled than in the themselves. As their Village west with so much decency & even stands on the border of a long palatable: edible propriety as they did in drinking Lake they perceived us at a off a Flagon or two of Rum, and considerable distance & came air: melody after their repast was over they out to meet us (Men & Women( provisions: supplies of food and equipment smoked their Pipes and conversed armed some with Bows & propriety: good behaviour and manners rationally on the great difference Arrows & others with Axes or rational: based an reason there is between the manners and Clubs &c. However they did not customs of Civilized People and attempt to do us the least injury, ACTIVITIES 1.Find three statements Harmon makes that show support, describe him in two character sketches— he, like most of the people of his day, thought his one from the point of view of his family and own culture was superior to others.
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