Fur Trade and Missionaries

The importance of the beaver.

The BeaverThe beaver pelts were known as castor gras (greasy). These were especially valuable to the French.

These pelts were ready to be made into items such as hats.

The other type was known as castor sec (dry). It was trapped and traded without having been worn for a few seasons.

It was not as valuable because it was not ready to be used.

Birchbark CanoesLong before Europeans, Aboriginals used logs, animal skins and tree bark to make boats.

The birchbark canoe was especially useful because it was;

-large enough to transport big game or belongings of people on the move.

-seaworthy on the rough water of the Great Lakes.

-easy to handle in the swirling waters of the Ottawa River.

-light enough to be carried when necessary.

Merchants of the Fur Trade

French merchants began to organize fur trading companies.

They built trading posts and warehouses in Quebec and Ville-Marie.

The French king supported the French companies by granting them fur trade monopolies.

The most famous company was known as the Company of One Hundred Associates.

Table of Exchange in New France

12 beaver pelts = 1 gun

4 beaver pelts = 4.5L of brandy

2 beaver pelts = 10 fishhooks

1 beaver pelt = 0.25kg of glass beads

8 muskrat pelts = 1 beaver pelts

1 bearskin = 2 beaver pelts

Coureurs de BoisSome of the French decided to go west & north to collect furs from the Aboriginals in the interior.

They were called coureurs de bois, which means “runners of the woods”.

They learned hunting and canoeing skills from the aboriginals and bought their furs.

Often they lived with aboriginals for months to gain their trust

VoyageursThere were 600 coureurs de bois by 1678.

Eventually the government and Church decided that the coureurs de bois should stay at home.

The governor passed a law where traders had to have permits, but only a limited number were given out.

The traders who had permits became known as Voyageurs.

Etienne Brule

The Missionaries in New France

Religion was always a strong force in New France.

One of the most important groups of settlers was the Roman Catholic priests and nuns who came as missionaries.

Duties of the Priest

The colonists needed priests to tend to their spiritual needs.

The priests;

-baptized babies

-prayed for the sick

-conducted mass

-buried the dead

The first missionaries arrived in 1625. They were Jesuits

Duties of the Priest

Often the priest was the most educated person in the community. They;-drew up wills and recorded business deals-registered all births and deaths.

Priests often went to live with the aboriginals to try and convert them to Christianity

Marguerite Bourgeoys