There were often misunderstandings, violence, and death, but compromises and accommodations were made and life went on. The colonial venture had begun.
In 1497, explorer John Cabot sailed to the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador and famously noted that the waters teemed with cod. He thought he might have reached Asia, Brasil, or the fabled isle of 7 cities.
Norse sagas and archaeological findings at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland come together to reveal the history of the first European presence in Canada.
The Calvinist nobleman Pierre Dugua de Mons founded Acadia and with the help of Samuel Champlain, created the basic structure of a French colony in Canada.
First Nations see their relationship with the Crown as separate to that with the government and have used this special relationship to voice their grievances.
The trading post can be viewed as a large household whose size and social organization reflected the cultural heritage of its members and the post's role in the fur trade.
Back in the 17th century, wearing a hat made from beaver felt was expected of every well-dressed man—and Europe had nearly run out of beavers. The Hudson’s Bay Company was founded mostly to fulfill this need.
All the students will play the roles of Ojibwe people and also French Voyageurs meeting to have a Rendezvous complete with simulated canoe arrival, French and Ojibwe songs, language exchange, trading of trade goods and pelts.
Dive into the captivating history of the fur trade in Canada and uncover the critical role Indigenous Nations played in shaping this industry. From the earliest days of the fur trade to its lasting impact on Canada
In this lesson, students will learn about life as a voyageur’s family during the Fur Trade and then will play the Fur Trade Game where they collect “furs” to trade for items from a “trading post.”
A unique presentation of primary and secondary resources found in the collections of Canada's National History Society, HBCA - Archives of Manitoba, The Manitoba Museum, Parks Canada and several First Nations communities.
Enjoy this National Film Board video (19 minutes) that shows the lives of the Voyageurs who paddled Canadian rivers. There are four additional videos just below the main video.
An article that details how the Governor General of the new French colony defied the orders of his king and expanded colonization to benefit himself and his friends.
This site has information about everyday life in New France as well as information about the filles du roi, First Nations peoples in New France, and pictures of Quebec.
Join Peter on a winter trek through the Canadian wilderness as he explores the incredible history of the Hudson Bay Company and its fierce rival, the North West Company.
Move along the timeline to discover images and comments about the history of the Hudson's Bay Company. Watch for blue highlighted links to additional information.
From it's beginnings as the largest land owner in North America, to it's role in the French and Indian War, this is a brief history of the Hudson's Bay Company.
An Algonquin man declared to Jesuit missionary Paul Le Jeune in 1639: “To live among us without a wife is to live without help, without home and to be always wandering.”
The relationships between fur traders and First Nations or mixed-blood women were called, "a la facon du pays" or "according to the custom of the country".
Marguerite-Magdelaine Marcot La Framboise was one of the most successful fur traders in the Northwest Territory of the United States, in the area of present-day western Michigan.
The women of the fur trade were the Indigenous women who helped the early fur traders survive. They often were country wives, becoming the mothers of a new nation – the Metis.
This edition of Kayaklink opens in new window shares some amazing stories and examples of how the fur trade worked, who kept it going, and the impact it left behind.
Experience life as a voyageur in the fur trade. Travel to each fur trading post to exchange your goods for beaver pelts! Supporting files are in French and English.
In this activity, students will learn how the Norse managed to navigate to North America 400 years before the Christopher Columbus did for the Spanish.
In this activity, student will take on the role of a historian and learn about the differences in life for slaves and lives of white people in New France.
Students will follow Champlain in his journeys to North America and examine the interactions and alliances Champlain formed with the Innu, agreeing to aide them in their war against the Iroquois.
This set of primary and secondary sources describes the attempts of the Catholic missionaries to convert First Nations communities to Catholicism in New France from 1615 to 1710. Free sign-in required for access
In this lesson students explore the concept of spirit and intent by investigating the differing views held by the Crown and First Nation peoples at the time of Treaty-making.
During the fur trade, Europeans relied heavily on the knowledge of Indigenous women and men. This program highlights multiple perspectives on the fur trade after 1763, and examines the relationships that made trade networks possible.
The Mi'kmaq dice-and-bowl game Waltes, played since at least before settler contact, is experiencing a resurgence. This article briefly explains the game and focuses on the importance of games as part of cultural heritage.
