Pre-Establishment of the Fur Trade
Before the establishment of the fur trade, most fur trade occurred between European fisherman. This trade evolved because Indigenous peoples wanted to establish a strong trade with Europeans for certain commodities they couldn't produce themselves.
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They traded for items that they couldn't produce themselves or were not local to them.
Nails
Clothing
Knives
Demand of Goods & Transportation
Demand of Goods & Distribution
Beaver Pelts
Beaver pelts were a popular fur among Indigenous groups and uses varied from clothing to hats.
Trading of beaver pelts was in favour of Europeans cause they were able to trade lower value items for them (Kenyon, 2006).
The items they traded were coveted by Indigenous peoples but low value in the European market.
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Due to long transport, Europeans had to be careful in choosing what trade items they brought over.
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Transportation & Demand
Most trade continued through the use of ships and European fishermen.
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In the 1600's, this ramped up and there were ships that transported cargos full of manufactured goods that were designated to be traded for furs (Kenyon, 2006).
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Because it took a while for ships to reach each destination, it was important that they made decisions on what trade goods would yield the highest demand.
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Indigenous Labour before European Involvement
Regulated their own markets
Indigenous peoples have great respect for their land and only take and use what is needed to survive. They only traded when necessary and hunted when necessary.
Shared trade of food and resources
Indigenous peoples have a strong sense of community and they always took part in shared trade. They shared food, resources and products from fishing campus
Crafting and fishing
Native men crafted their own weapons and equipment and were responsible for hunting and fishing (Warburton & Scott, 1985).
Trade evolved into a market rather than trading for use-value. As demand rose, there an increase in need. Indigenous trading went from a needs system to a supplying demand system
Use-Value to Trade-Value
Author of Pre-Establishment
