The Indigenous peoples became dependent on the trading posts for firearms and ammunition and for European food. Because they were devoting most of their time hunting for the fur trade, they didn’t have time to hunt for their own food as they had in the past. With the fur trade, conservation was abandoned.

What impact did the fur trade have on native peoples and their culture?

The fur trade brought the spread of guns, contagious diseases, and alcohol. French demand for Native slaves resulted in Native people raiding other Indigenous communities.

Why was the fur trade bad for the First Nations?

Prior to the fur trade, the native peoples would only take what they needed. However, due to the fur trade, conservation diminished and surpluses of furs were present. This eventually decreased the beaver population. Before the natives became in contact with the Europeans, native religions had been animistic.

Why were aboriginal peoples vital to the success of the fur trade?

They were sought after as marriage partners for fur trade managers because of their kinship ties to local First Nations and Métis. Their work was vitally important, as they provided food such as garden produce, berries, fish and game to the fur trade posts.

What animals were trapped in the fur trade?

Beaver pelts were in the greatest demand, but other animals such as mink, muskrat, fox and sable marten were also trapped. In the 1830s, when beaver lost its value as a staple fur, HBC maintained a profitable trade emphasizing fancy fur.

How did the Aboriginals survive the fur trade?

The Canadian aboriginals survived mostly on the fur trade with the Europeans that enabled them to get iron tools like knives to facilitate hunting and household activities. The ‘made beaver’ was the principal used by the aboriginals in trading since they preferred to bargain over prices.

Where did the fur trade take place in the 1820s?

By the 1820s the fur trade was shifting away from the coast. So long as the trade was conducted seasonally by visiting ships from Britain or the United States, the Aboriginal annual routine remained largely unchanged.

How did the Cree help in the fur trade?

During the middle of the 1700’s, the Cree and Assiniboine shifted their focus from solely depending on fur trade, and began to exchange and barter dried meet. The Natives hunted buffalo, in order to provide food for the Europeans. A major food source the Natives produced was Pemican, a dried buffalo meat kept in a fur bag with oils.

How did the fur trade affect the Canadian economy?

The market immediately revived. As an item on the balance sheet of French external trade, furs were minuscule, and their share was shrinking proportionately as trade in tropical produce and manufactured goods increased; however, the fur trade was the backbone of the Canadian economy.