The Era of Sarah Ballenden: Life at Red River in 1850

Transcription

1 By 1850, the Métis were established as a people on this land. The Métis have a long history of strong economic relationships between fur traders and Indigenous communities through marriage, but Métis families lived apart from their Indigenous and European roots. Over time, they developed a language and culture that was distinct from any other nation. While the fur trade was a colonial enterprise, the success of the Hudson s Bay Company in Rupert s Land was dependant on pre-existing Indigenous trade networks and support from well-established Indigenous traders. Lord Selkirk negotiated a Treaty in 1817 with five First Nation leaders at Red River about how this land could be shared with the newcomers from Scotland. Use the photos to find the answers to the questions below in the following Manitoba Museum Galleries: Orientation, Grasslands and Hudson s Bay Company. Orientation Gallery: Legacies of Confederation: A New Look at Manitoba History 1. A) What products did the Métis generate during bison hunts to ensure economic success? B) How were the organizational skills used in bison hunts applied in the community? 2. A) When were dog blankets used by sled teams? B) Why did sled teams dress their dogs in this manner? 3. A) Where was Upper Fort Garry located? B) Why was this fort so important in fur trade history?

2 4. Grasslands Gallery: A) What held the Red River Cart together? B) What was it used for? 5. A) Who lived in a house like this one? B) Which two artifacts in this cabin would have been in the same home where it was located in Point Douglas (Winnipeg) in 1817? 6. A) Name four environmental challenges that the community faced at Red River. B) Describe how grasshoppers (locusts) were destructive to this area Hudson Bay Company Gallery: A) Name the HBC Governor who was also known as The Little Emperor. B) Name two main achievements during his service at Upper Fort Garry from 1821 to The Métis were the backbone of the freighting system to send supplies, furs and trade goods over vast distances. A) Name three vehicles that were used to haul goods.

3 Student name: Date: 1. A) 2. A) 3. A) 4. A) 5. A) 6. A) 7. A) 8. A)

4 Teacher s Answer Key 1. A) Pemmican and bison hides (used as thick leather belts to drive large turbines, engines and machines) B) The same organizational skills used in bison hunts kept law and order in the community. Young political leaders like Louis Riel emerged from this form of government. 2. A) Dog blankets were used as sled teams arrived and departed trading posts. B) Find possible answers. The Métis took pride in their work. To impress the clerks and other local people who lived near the trading post. To be recognized and identified as a friendly, proud freighter. 3. A) At the forks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. B) A symbol of power and presence of the Hudson s Bay Company in Rupert s Land from 1835 to A) Only wood pieces are used and pressure fitted together, then strengthened with bison hide strips. B) Carrying freight, trade goods, pemmican, etc. 5. A) Métis traders, Scottish settlers, Ojibwe farmers, Hudson s Bay Company employees. B) The violin (Alexander Sutherland) and spinning wheel (Catherine McPherson). They were husband and wife in A) Flood, drought, frost/hail and grasshoppers (locusts) B) They ate everything; grain fields, gardens and laundry hanging on the clothes line. 7. A) Sir George Simpson B) The fur trade was restructured and improved for greater efficiency. Trade in alcohol was reduced. 8. A) Find possible answers: York boat, cariole, sled, canoe and Red River Cart

5 Use the three doors located along the blue line on this Museum Galleries map to quickly reach the Orientation, Grasslands and Hudson s Bay Company Galleries to answer your questions.