Beaver Pelt Trade

Summary

This video explores the significance of the beaver in Canadian history, debunking the common assumption that the maple leaf is Canada's only emblem. It delves into how the beaver trade in the 17th century fueled European exploration and settlement in Canada, driven by the demand for beaver pelts in European fashion. The Hudson's Bay Company played a key role in trading pelts with Indigenous peoples. Although the beaver population faced near extinction by 1929, preservation efforts helped it thrive. Today, the beaver remains a symbol of Canada's resilience and history.

Takeaways

• 🍁 People often mistakenly assume that Canada's official emblem is the maple leaf, but it is actually the beaver.
• 🦫 The beaver played a significant role in European exploration of what would become Canada, driven by the demand for beaver pelts in the 17th century fashion industry.
• 🎩 Beaver pelts were highly sought after in Europe because they were used to make durable, waterproof felt hats.
• 🛠 The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) was founded in 1670 to capitalize on the fur trade in Canada's northern regions.
• 🤝 The fur trade created a mutually beneficial relationship between European traders and Aboriginal peoples, who supplied the beaver pelts in exchange for manufactured goods.
• 💰 A unique currency system, called the made beaver token, was introduced to represent the value of beaver pelts and facilitate trade.
• 🦊 HBC expanded across Canada, trading in different animals depending on the region, such as salmon on the Pacific coast and arctic fox in the far north.
• 👒 The popularity of beaver pelts for hats declined in the 1850s, when silk hats became more fashionable, largely influenced by Prince Albert.
• ⚠️ By the late 1920s, overhunting had drastically reduced the beaver population, leading to conservation efforts like the establishment of the first beaver preserve in 1930.
• 🌳 Today, the Canadian beaver population has recovered, symbolizing both the survival of the species and Canada's resilience.

Q & A

What is Canada's official emblem?

Canada's official emblem is the beaver, not the maple leaf as commonly assumed.

Why did European explorers venture into northern and western regions of Canada?

European explorers ventured into these regions largely because of the high demand for beaver pelts in the 17th century to make fashionable hats in Europe.

What made beaver pelts valuable in the 17th century?

Beaver pelts were valuable because their short hairs were used to produce soft, durable, and waterproof felt for making hats.

What role did the Hudson’s Bay Company play in Canada’s development?

The Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) played a significant role in Canada’s development by establishing trading outposts, engaging in fur trade with Aboriginal people, and expanding its influence in Rupert's Land.

What was the 'standard of trade' developed by the Hudson's Bay Company?

The 'standard of trade' was a price document used by all Hudson's Bay Company trading posts to establish consistent pricing for trade goods, ensuring fair exchanges with Aboriginal traders.

What were 'Made Beaver tokens' and how were they used?

'Made Beaver tokens' represented the value of a prime beaver pelt and were used as a form of credit by traders with the Hudson's Bay Company. Aboriginal traders could exchange these tokens for goods or save them for future purchases.

What animals were traded by the Hudson’s Bay Company in regions where beaver were not abundant?

In regions where beaver were scarce, the Hudson’s Bay Company traded other valuable animals, such as salmon on the Pacific coast and arctic fox in the far north.

Why did the trade in beaver pelts decline in the 1850s?

The trade in beaver pelts declined in the 1850s because silk hats became more popular, led by the fashion preferences of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband.

What actions were taken to protect Canada's beaver population when it was nearing extinction?

In 1930, Jimmy Watt and his wife established the first Beaver Preserve, and by 1944, the Hudson's Bay Company had created beaver sanctuaries covering 110,000 square kilometers to protect the population.

Is the Canadian beaver population thriving today?

Yes, today the Canadian beaver population is thriving, much like the country it represents.