Women In the Fur Trade

Since the birth of the 17th and 18th centuries, indigenous women have played an important role in North American fur trade. Even though this is true, the role of women, especially the Native American society, has been ignored throughout the history of fur trade. Contrary to the belief that the entire fur trade activity is male led, it ensures survival and economic success largely depending on indigenous women and their participation and workforce.

Women's role in fur trading is very diverse. Since 1812, there were a few white women in the fur country, but most fur traders married indigenous women or mixed-mixed women. These relationships have a solid and practical foundation. By marrying indigenous or mixed-mixed women, fur traders strengthened trade relations with her indigenous relatives. Marriage helps to improve relationships with other countries, as fur traders now have access to internal information about their language and culture. Having "rural wife" also brings obvious benefits. In indigenous culture, women usually do camping, fur, leather making, cooking, collecting firewood, wearing soft shoes, making snowshoes. Essential for Europeans

From the beginning, women have played an essential role in North American fur trade. However, in the history of fur trade, the role of women, especially native American women, is often overlooked. Contrary to the idea that fur trade is a male-led activity, it actually depends on the participation and labor of the survival of indigenous women and economic success. Indigenous women act as indispensable producers in fur trade in Canadian and American plains. European women have little knowledge of fur trade. Some French wives advance to the west with their husband, others from Hudson Bay company officials bring their wives from Europe. White women Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Spaulding, who accompanied a caravan crossing the plain, when he participated in the 1836 date, served as an observer of American fur trade.

Aboriginal women are the main female participants in fur trading. A typical Indian woman is married to a French Canadian, an employee of a British, American, Indian fur company. As a wife and daughter, indigenous women play an important role in fur trading, such as producers, translators, traders and travel guides. Marriage between white and Indian women will promote political, social and economic alliances within the fur trading system. Marriage as a unified bond between European-American and Canadian fur traders and indigenous peoples, or "according to domestic customs", many merchants are "bride's price" for important tribal leader's daughter I will pay. For example, in 1814, Manuel Lisa, a merchant in St. Louis, married Mitaein, the daughter of Omaha's chief, during the war of 1812, maintained an alliance with Britain, kept in contact with Omaha with the United States, I kept shedding in Lisa's post.