Metis

1. Metis

2. Competition • The HBC and NWC both wanted to control the entire fur trade

3. Differences • How were the two companies different?

4. What to do • Both companies wanted to take away customers from the other • What could they do to attract more business?

5. Lowered prices • Offered more goods in exchange for the furs • Brought in new goods from Europe • Opened trading posts right next door to their rival

6. Things started to change • As the NWC began to push deeper into First Nation land they had to spend winters in First Nation villages • What happens next?

7. Marriage and Alliances • Many NWC traders began to marry First Nations women • The NWC approved of this. Why? • First Nations leaders approved of this. Why?

8. NWC saw this as boosting trade with the First Nations • First Nations saw this as a way to hopefully negotiate better prices and build alliances

9. HBC? • The HBC banned its employees and traders from have any relations with First Nations (other than business relations) • They actually tried to force their employees to be celibate

10. French and First Nations • Most of the NWC Voyageurs were French • Therefore they were getting married to the First Nations • Children of these marriages became extremely common • They quickly became one of the largest groups of people in the North West • Called themselves Metis (French word for mixed) • Spoke French and Algonkian

11. Red River • Many began to settle in the Red River area in what is now in Manitoba • Began farming and hunting bison

12. Ad • I want you to make an advertisement for either the HBC or NWC • Focus on what you are selling (textbook has some hints on that) • What you are looking to buy (beaver fur and more) • What you are willing to pay/charge • Pictures • Sales? • Compare your prices/deals to that of your opposing company (why you are better) • Slogan • Logo