![]() ![]() Others were derived from traditional French songs. The latter describes travelling through the Pays d'en Haut. The voyageurs left behind a significant repertoire of songs, such as “ Alouette” and “ C’est l’aviron qui nous mène.” However, tuques (knitted wool caps) and capotes (hoodedĬoats) remained essential. In the 19th century, men no longer wore the Indigenous breechcloth, which had replaced Frenchīreeches. Certain garments disappeared over the years and were replaced by others. ![]() They wore a mixture of European clothing, Indigenous garb and colonial adaptations. Voyageurs and engagés in the fur trade wore a variety of clothes over the centuries. So too is the fringed-leather clothing of the coureur desīois. The stereotypical voyageur outfit featuring a woven arrowhead sash is merely a product of our collective imagination. They were replaced by the bourgeois, who were often Scottish immigrants. That the role of voyageur had disappeared. The number of engagés had increased to such an extent But the fur trade changed once again in the 19th century. Their life wasįull of perilous adventure, gruelling work and cheerful camaraderie. Today, the word voyageur, like the term coureur des bois, evokes the romantic image of men canoeing across the continent in search of furs. They settled down and lived out their days in town or in the country.Ĭanadian voyageurs of the North West Company. Some voyageurs were self-employed and hired only a few men to paddle one or two canoes.Ī number of former voyageurs - those who did not squander their earnings upon returning to town - later became sedentary merchants. ![]() “Merchant voyageurs” were often minor partners contracted for three years in trading companies established by merchant-suppliers and military officers. The company or merchant that hired a voyageur occasionally permitted him to trade for himself, which engagés normally were not allowed to do. Of experience and good credit were required to become voyageurs. However, the sons of habitants involved in the trade typically made a career of it. Many young men from the Trois-Rivières regionĪnd areas surrounding Montreal worked in the trade each year but did so only casually. The engagés would transport goods from a merchant-supplier to the Pays d'en Haut (“upper country”) and then bring furs back to Montreal. ![]() Later, the voyageur became a “ canoe master” in charge of supervising engagés (hired workers). The French then enjoyed a monopoly once again. The Compagnie was established during a period of decline in the French market for beaver pelts and dissolved in 1706. Like the Communauté des Habitants, which operatedįor about 15 years in the mid-17th century, the Compagnie de la Colonie (created in 1699) gave Canadians a monopoly over the fur trade. They earned a modest wage for their efforts. Until 1705, roughly 60 young men travelled on behalf of theĬompagnie de la Colonie as far as the post of Detroit (founded in 1701). They were forbidden to do any trading of their own. Voyageurs were young men hired to transport goods to trading posts. Coureurs des bois, on the other hand, were typically considered outlaws of sorts because they did not have permits from colonial authorities. Voyageurs were contracted by merchants or military officers with permits. The implementation of the trading licence system in 1681 set voyageurs apart from coureurs des bois. In the late 17th century, it became increasingly difficult to obtain a trading licence (known as a congé) and goods on credit. ![]()
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