First Nations and the Fur Trade

1. First Nations and the Fur Trade

2. Clan Membership • Clan has been used to designate social groups whose members trace descent from either male or female ancestors • This means that a person belongs to the clan of either parent.  • Examples of matrilineal societies, those tracing descent from a female, are the Haudenosaunee, Haida and Tsimshian

3. Matrilineal Clan System • This means they follow the line of descent of the mother. • Children belong to their mother’s clan. • Inheritance follows mothers line • men often retained responsibilities to his mother’s family.

4. Patrilineal Clan System This means they follow the line of descent of the father. • Children belong to their father’s clan. • Inheritance follows father’s line

5. Importance of Elders • ELDERS The job of the elders was to instruct the young one's.  • They are considered wise, and respected for their knowledge and guidance

6. Teaching the Next Generation • First Nations stories were not just entertainment, for they transmitted culture, spiritual beliefs, and knowledge • Think of the ways you have been taught about your culture

7. Living a precontact life • Life did include travelling,hunting,gathering,fishing,raw material procurement and processing …but human life is SOCIAL life. Now and in the past… • creating, affirming and modifying political and economic relationships • Ceremonial acts, including celebration, mourning, and memorializing • Artistic life, including manufacture and curation of materials, creation and performance of songs, stories, dance and drama • healthcare, including collecting, preparing and using biopharmaceuticals; treatment and recuperation • justice, penance, and peacekeeping

8. The Fur Trade • a vast commercial enterprise across the territory of what is now Canada, and sustained primarily by the trapping of beavers to satisfy the European demand for felt hats • It was the driving force behind European settlement in North America • Trade opened up contact between First Nations and Europeans • Caused exploration of the continent and the creation of Canada

9. The Northwest First Nations • Predominantly defined by the Canadian Shield • This vast region is home to four major First Nations • The Cree (Nehiyaw) • The Anishinabe (Ojibway) • The Nakoda (Stoney) • The Dene (Chipewyan)

10. Importance of First Nations in the Fur Trade • There would be no fur trade if not for the knowledge and aid of First Nations • Knew the hunting grounds and habits of animals • Taught Europeans how to survive the land • Acted as trappers, traders, and guides

11. Fur Trade Impact on First Nations 1# • The Fur Trade disrupted the traditional way of life • Demand for furs made First Nations spend more time on trapping • Yearly cycle of fishing, hunting, and preserving food interrupted • Dependence on trade goods

12. Fur Trade Impact on First Nations 2# • Created a dependence on an unsustainable resource • Fur Bearing animals almost hunted to extinction • First nations no longer able to trade for European goods • Many First Nations families faced starvation and forced to relocate

13. Fur Trade Impact on First Nations 3# • Introduced alcoholism among First Nations • The NWC allowed the trade of alcohol for furs • Addictive • Poisonous alcohol being traded • Moonshine • Made with chemicals • deadly

14. Fur Trade Impact on First Nations 4# • European contact with First Nations led to the spread of disease • Disease such as Smallpox wiped out entire villages • Devastated cultures that survived on Oral Traditions • Not always unintentional