Beaver pelt was skinned and stretched on hoops before they were made into hats or other items.
Fur Trade
Important Industry
The fur trade was one the first major industries in Canada. It began in the 1600s and became very important in places like Saskatchewan in the 1700s and 1800s. European traders came to North America to collect animal furs, especially beaver pelts, which were used to make hats and coats in Europe.
A beaver felt top hat
To be successful, European trappers needed help from people who knew the land. First Nations hunters and trappers worked closely with Europeans, teaching them how to survive and move across the land. Over time, some of the European fur traders and First Nations women formed families.
Photo Credit: Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan
A Métis hunting guide in 1876.
Métis Roles
Métis people were a big reason the fur trade was so successful. They were skilled workers who understood both First Nations and European ways of life. Because they spoke more than one language, they helped people communicate and work together.
Métis trappers were very skilled
Métis people worked in many important jobs such as:
- Interpreters – helping people understand each other’s languages
- Traders – buying, selling, and exchanging goods like furs, food, and tools
- Guides – leading traders across rivers, forests, and prairies
- Laborers – carrying heavy loads, paddling canoes, and working at trading posts
- Seamstress – Métis women would create and mend clothing
- Food suppliers – providing vegetables, meat, fish, and pemmican (a dried meat and berry mix). Women also tended the gardens at fur trade posts
Métis woman canning foods
The hard work of the Métis helped connect communities and build the early economy in what is now Saskatchewan and beyond.