The fur trade influenced the historical development of Canada in a number of ways including: the development and expansion into western and northern Canada; the significance of Canadian place names; the origin and rise of the Métis Nation; the impact of interaction between the First Peoples and the Europeans-and these connections can be found in personal and commercial stories about the people and events of the fur trade.
The bolas is a hunting weapon used by many Aboriginal peoples throughout North America. This Inuit example is made from carved antler, cotton cord, hide and bird quills. The bird quills are tied together to form a handle.
Other
Related Material What other methods used for hunting can you find on this website? (Hint: There are four.)
Check the Beaver Index - e.g., type in 'Inuit,' 'hunting,' etc.
Did
You Know? The sling, a stone-throwing device made from a strip of hide with two long strings at either end, was used to kill birds.
The bolas is actually an elaborate version of the sling, -- a “compound” sling, in effect.
A hunter whirled the bolas over his head and threw it up into the air at low flying waterfowl such as ducks and geese. The birds became entangled in the strings of the bolas and the weight of the balls would bring down the birds.
The bolas is effective for hunting birds at altitudes of up to 46 meters. When the hunter was searching for game, he would wind the bolas around his forehead for easy transport and to keep the lines from entangling.
