UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
McGrath, Thomas P.
Title:
Dept./Program:
History
Degree:
MA
Abstract:
James Watt (J.W.) Anderson worked as postmaster for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) post at Mistassini from 1913 to 1918. Located east of James Bay at the southern end of Lake Mistassini, the post was still maintaining a traditional fur trade at this time. The Mistassini Cree sustained themselves on their hunting and trapping grounds throughout most of the year. They congregated at the post at the beginning of the summer in order to take their furs by canoe to Rupert House on James Bay, a difficult journey of hundreds of miles.
This "canoe brigade" then loaded their canoes with supplies from the HBC to take upriver back to the post. Before heading off to their traplines, Anderson gave each family supplies on credit with the agreement that the furs collected in the ensuing trapping season would cover the cost. Elsewhere in Canada, industrialization had changed many aspects of the fur trade, including changes in transportation and communication, an increased number of non-native trappers, and more government involvement in Indians' lives. While Mistassini remained mostly isolated from the outside world during this period, there were some hints as to the inevitable changes that were soon to come.
This "canoe brigade" then loaded their canoes with supplies from the HBC to take upriver back to the post. Before heading off to their traplines, Anderson gave each family supplies on credit with the agreement that the furs collected in the ensuing trapping season would cover the cost. Elsewhere in Canada, industrialization had changed many aspects of the fur trade, including changes in transportation and communication, an increased number of non-native trappers, and more government involvement in Indians' lives. While Mistassini remained mostly isolated from the outside world during this period, there were some hints as to the inevitable changes that were soon to come.