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.
Early 19th Century hide coat from the Red River Settlement area constructed in the style of a European "frock coat."
This garment is probably made from bison hide. It is decorated with floral paintwork and flattened and dyed porcupine quills in the shoulder areas. The quilled panels were woven on a bow loom before they were attached to the coat.
A woven sash, perhaps an Assomption sash or ceinture flêchée, would have been used to keep the coat closed.
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You Know?
While several Aboriginal groups produced a similar style of garment, Metis women from the Red River area were particularly renowned for their production of this type of coat.
It reflects a blending of the Aboriginal and European worlds that were brought together through the fur trade.
Unlike the plain European woolen cloth versions, these coats are richly decorated with a combination of colourful First Nations geometric designs and Metis floral work.
In addition to being worn by the Metis men, these coats, along with decorated pad saddles made of animal hide, were traded for European goods.
