03/15/25

Voyageurs

The cliché, woven red arrowhead sash evokes a vivid character of perilous adventure – les voyageurs. They were mainly hired by The North West company in the fur trade industry during the 17^th and 18^th centuries.[1] Voyageurs and coureurs des bois were synonymous in the 17^th century; both were licensed traders responsible for the exchange of goods between suppliers to Indigenous peoples. While voyageurs remained contracted by merchants or military officers with permits, coureurs des bois did not have permits and were considered outlaws once the trading licence system was implemented in 1681.[2]

The voyageurs were young French men hired to transport goods to trading posts which later developed into a supervising role, a “canoe master”. Voyageurs ensured the engagés (hired workers) would transport goods from merchant-suppliers and return to Montreal with furs. “Merchant voyageurs” were contracted for three years by merchants and military officers with established trading companies. The fur trade shifted in the 19^th century; the number of engagés increased drastically and the bourgeois (often Scottish immigrants) replaced the role of the voyageur.[1]

Although the jovial voyageur folksongs and tales of exploration are romantic, they endured extreme hardship. A typical day involved paddling from 14 to 16 hours, sleeping under canoes, enduring mosquitoes, flies, and harsh elements such as the bitter cold, blistering sun, and pouring rain. During a portage, they carried approximately 170 lbs upon their backs. Their survival depended on cheerful camaraderie and supporting one another.[3]

Voyageurs had a variety of clothing attire over the centuries rather than the stereotypical red or blue tuque, arrowhead sash, moccasins, and hood produced by our collective imagination. Singing during their hard labour produced a large repertoire of tuneful songs, such as “Alouette,” “Rame rame,” and “C’est l’aviron.” Annually, events such as the Festival du Voyageur (Manitoba) are presented to celebrate the voyageurs and French-Canadian culture through exquisite cuisine, lively dance, and festive music.[4]

Suggested Sources:

Foster, John E. , and Suzanne Gousse. “Voyageurs.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published June 07, 2007; Last Edited November 07, 2019.
Wien, Tom. “Coureurs des bois.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 06, 2006; Last Edited November 07, 2019.

Government of Canada. “The voyageurs.” Accessed March 6, 2025. https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/lachine/culture/histoire-history/site/voyageurs

Festival du Voyageur. “Infos Générales.” Accessed March 6, 2025. https://heho.ca/festival/infos-generales/

Fur Trade

Fur Trade: A Key Canadian History

[3] The fur trade has played a critical role in shaping Canada’s history, beginning in the early 1600s and stretching over nearly 250 years. This busy trade involved primarily European traders, mainly the French and British, who worked closely with Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous communities were essential to making the trade successful. The soaring demand for beaver pelts drove explorers further into the heart of the Canadian wilderness, paving the way for new trading routes and settlements. What’s fascinating about the fur trade is how it promoted strong economic relationships between Indigenous and European communities, sparking cultural exchanges that influenced both sides. In addition, music played a key role for traders to express their culture and for Indigenous peoples to come together [2].

Indigenous Women in the Fur Trade

[1] Indigenous women were essential to the success and sustainability of the fur trade. Their contributions went far beyond just managing the household; they were critical to both survival and commerce. These women took on critical tasks, such as making clothing, preserving food, and creating valuable trade goods, all of which helped their families and trading partners thrive. One important aspect of their involvement was through what’s known as mariage à la façon du pays, or “marriage according to the custom of the country.” These marriages promoted connections that allowed European traders to access Indigenous resources and social networks, which were key to successful transactions. These unions weren’t just formal agreements; they brought families together, established mutual support, and nurtured relationships across cultures. The dynamics of power in these partnerships were quite remarkable. Indigenous women wielded major influence and were adept at negotiating deals that benefited their communities. They ensured their perspectives were considered in trade discussions. Acting as cultural bridges, these women not only reinforced family bonds but also played a crucial role in shaping the fur trade and its impact on Canadian society.

Trade Goods and Cultural Exchange

The fur trade was an exchange between European traders and Indigenous peoples, deeply shaping cultural interactions. Key items like iron axes, flintlock muskets, and glass beads played major roles. Iron axes changed how Indigenous communities made tools and processed wood, while glass beads became popular decorations. These goods weren’t just materials; they represented new tech that made daily tasks easier. Reciprocity was at the core of these trade relationships, with both sides adapting to fit each other’s needs. Indigenous peoples often welcomed European goods, changing their practices and economies in the process. As competition heated up between French and English traders, their strategies evolved. The French built on existing Indigenous trade networks, while the English, represented by the Hudson’s Bay Company, aimed to establish direct access through trading posts. So, the fur trade wasn’t just about economics; it sparked a rich cultural exchange [4].

Music’s Role in the Fur Trade

[4] Music played an essential role in the fur trade, acting not just as a source of entertainment but also as a way for both traders and Indigenous peoples to express their culture. It created a unique space where diverse groups could come together, promoting social bonds that crossed cultural lines. A standout song from this time is “The Red River Valley,” [2] which beautifully captures the feelings and experiences of those involved in the fur trade. Dating back to the mid-19th century, the song touches on themes of love and longing, striking a chord with those who had to leave the lively trading center at Red River. The lyrics often reflect the connections built between Indigenous communities and European settlers, displaying how music can weave together shared stories and emotions of both joy and sorrow amidst the complexities of trading life.

References

[2] Daniel Robert Laxer. Listening to the Fur Trade. McGill-Queen’s Press – MQUP, 2022.

[3] Foster, John, and William Eccles. “Fur Trade | the Canadian Encyclopedia.” Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, 23 July 2013, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fur-trade. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

[4] Inouye, Frank T., and Harold A. Innis. “The Fur Trade in Canada.” Ethnohistory, vol. 4, no. 4, 1957, p. 465, https://doi.org/10.2307/480329.

[1] Kenyon, Walter. “Trade Goods: Indigenous Peoples | the Canadian Encyclopedia.” Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-trade-goods. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Related Sources

Glover, Fred. “Fur Trade in Canada (Plain-Language Summary) | the Canadian Encyclopedia.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 15 Jan. 2020, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/fur-trade-in-canada-plain-language-summary. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Berthelette, Scott. “Women and the Fur Trade | the Canadian Encyclopedia.” Www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, 30 Jan. 2023, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/women-and-the-fur-trade. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Suggested Sources

[2a]YouTube Recording of Red River Valley (2014): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrCK_EVjcZ0

[2b]YouTube Lyric Video of Red River Valley (2019): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFgKB5p8F7U

01/3/25

C’est l’aviron

M'en revenant de la joli' Rochelle (bis)
J'ai rencontré trois joli's desmoiselles

C’est l’aviron qui nous mène qui nous mène,
C’est l’aviron qui nous mène en haut.

J’ai point choisi, mais j’ai pris la plus belle, (bis)
J’l’y fis monter derrièr’ moi sur ma selle…

C’est l’aviron qui nous mène qui nous mène,
C’est l’aviron qui nous mène en haut.

J’y fis cent lieues sans parler avec elle, (bis)
Au bout d’cent lieues ell’ me demandait à boire.

C’est l’aviron qui nous mène qui nous mène,
C’est l’aviron qui nous mène en haut.

Je l’ai menée auprès d’une fontaine, (bis)
Quand ell’ fut là, elle ne voulut point boire.

C’est l’aviron qui nous mène qui nous mène,
C’est l’aviron qui nous mène en haut.

Je l’ai r’menée au logis de son père, (bis)
Quand ell’ fut là, elle buvait à plein verre…

C’est l’aviron qui nous mène qui nous mène,
C’est l’aviron qui nous mène en haut.

À la santé d’ses sœurs et frères, (bis)
À la santé d’celui que son cœur aime…

C’est l’aviron qui nous mène qui nous mène,
C’est l’aviron qui nous mène en haut.

Suggested Sources:

“C’est l’aviron,” Les chansons des voyageurs, Festival des voyageurs. https://heho.ca/c-est-l-aviron (Accessed January 6, 2025)

01/3/25

Les voyageurs

[Add lyrics]

12/28/24

Hudson’s Bay Company

Hudson’s Bay Company was chartered on May 2, 1670. It began as a fur trading business as a
result of the increasing demand in beaver fur, and it would later become one of the largest fur
trade companies in the world. As of today, Hudson’s Bay Company is a private business owned
by a holding company. The company was founded when French traders Médard Chouart des
Groseilliers and his brother-in-law, Pierre-Esprit Radisson, after being rejected Quebec and
French support, sought patronage of England by proposing a trading route that reached the
interior part of the continent. This route eventually gave traders easy access to fur resources
from the local indigenous people. After being persuaded by Prince Rupert of the idea of a fur
trade and its economic potential of that region, King Charles II agreed to finance a voyage to
Hudson Bay.

The first voyage happened on June 3, 1688 with Radisson setting out on the Eaglet and des
Groseilliers on the Nonsuch. The Eaglet was damaged by a storm, however, the Nonsuch
returned a year later with a cargo of beaver pelts. Convinced by this return, later on May 2,
1760, King Charles II granted a Royal Charter to Prince Rupert and his “Company of
Adventurers of England trading into Hudson’s Bay,” hence the Hudson’s Bay Company was
officially established. This royal charter gave the company the control of trade and ownership of
all lands surrounded by the water flowing into the Bay, which was later named Rupert’s Land,
this totaled to be more than 3 million square miles of land. This territory ultimately became
provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, southern Alberta, parts of British Columbia, northwest-
Nunavut Territory, northern Ontario, and northern Quebec. It also covered regions of present-
day Montana, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. In fact, many parts of Rupert’s Land
later became known as “Métis Homeland” by the Métis people.

As a result of the fur trade, Indigenous people’s lifestyle and economy has changed; many
came to rely on European manufactured goods and food for survival, and led to an increased
competition among Indigenous peoples for European goods. Previously, Indigenous traders
mostly acted as the middlemen, as they brought furs from communities hidden further inland to
trading posts. Later more indigenous people moved away from their territory in search of fur
animals in order to obtain a better trade position.

Among the goods traded, beaver pelts were the most valuable to the settlers, and they were
considered the highest quality after trapping during fall and winter months. The indigenous
traders traded beaver pelts for metal goods like guns, also textiles and food. They had a
currency of the fur trade which was the Made Beaver coin, this was introduced in order to
standardize trade; one beaver coin was equivalent to one prime beaver skin.

Suggested Sources:

Arthur J. Ray, “Hudson’s Bay Company,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Nathan Coschi, Leanna Fong, Sasha Yusufali, Nathan Baker, and Jessica Poulin (eds.). Published online, 2 April 2009; Last edited, 19 January 2013. Accessed online, 6 March 2025, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/hudsons-bay-company

Harris, Carolyn, “Rupert’s Land,” Canada’s History. Published online, 26 October 2016. Accessed online, 6 March 2025, https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/exploration/rupert-s-land

“What is Rupert’s Land?” Rupert’s Land Institute. Accessed online, 6 March 2025, https://www.rupertsland.org/about/what-is-ruperts-land/

“The Fur Trade,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, Accessed online 6 March 2025, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/the-fur-trade.

“Hudson’s Bay Company Beginnings,” ‌CBC History, Accessed online, 6 March 2025, https://www.cbc.ca/history/EPCONTENTSE1EP6CH1PA5LE.html

Les voyageurs

[Add text here]

“Shooting the Rapids”

Top: “Quetico Superior Route, passing a waterfall.” Painting by Francis Anne Hopkins, 1869.

Suggested Sources:

Foster, John E. , and Suzanne Gousse. “Voyageur.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Published online, 7 June 2007; last edited, 7 November 2019. See: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/voyageur (Accessed online, [date])
Film by Bernard Devlin and Bernard Gosselin produced by the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) (1964; duration: 19 min). See: https://www.onf.ca/film/voyageurs_fr/
Program notes from The Music of Astoria, Portland Center Stage at the Armory, [2024?]. See: https://www.pcs.org/features/the-music-of-astoria (Accessed online, 1 January 2025)

Francophone Songs in North America

Tag Archives: fur trade

Voyageurs

Fur Trade

C’est l’aviron

Les voyageurs

Hudson’s Bay Company

Les voyageurs