Curated OER
La Salle and the Fur Trade
Fourth graders examine the fur trade of the 1700's. In this explorers lesson, 4th graders discuss how the French explorers traded items with the Native Americans for fur. They look at the explorer La Salle and how he influenced the fur...
Curated OER
Trading Rendezvous
Students explore the fur trade between the settlers and Native Americans. Through class discussion, students explain and give examples of how the fur trade worked. In groups, they simulate the fur trade using materials provided by the...
Curated OER
Why Not Come to North Amercia?
Students examine the motives for French expansion into the New World, they evaluate primary source documents to determine who, what, when, where and why.
Curated OER
Westward Expansion - Fur Trade
Students complete a unit of lessons to learn how products reach the market and study the history of the fur trade. In this history and trade lesson, students first learn about the technology that allowed products to reach market faster....
Curated OER
Mountain Men
In this history learning exercise, students read a one page article about life on the Oregon trail and the fur traders and mountain men. Students then answer 4 essay questions.
Curated OER
Ft. Vancouver Fur Trade: a Skin for a Skin
Students examine political presence of Hudson's Bay Company, explore economic impact of European demand for beaver pelts and the fur trapping trade, and practice counting in Chinook Jargon.
Curated OER
Fur Trade Economics
Learners demonstrate understanding of what the fur trade was and how it was operated, including the bartering process, by participating in a mock trade activity and assessing the value of items based on their needs and wants.
Curated OER
Daily Life in the Fur Trade: Communications & Resourcefulness
Student complete a number of activities using computer based resources and primary sources to research the fur trade. They answer questions using the computer research.
Curated OER
History on Film: Creating Heritage Moments
Fifth graders examine significant events in fur trade history. In small groups, they conduct research, develop and write a script, and create a videotaped "Heritage Moment."
Curated OER
The Order of Good Cheer: Living it Up At "Club Champlain"
Seventh graders participate in a role play activity to study the development of the fur trade in North America and leaders like Champlain.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Anishinabe Ojibwe Chippewa: Culture
Though written for grades 3-5, this lesson plan can be easily changed to help students of all ages learn about the Chippewa people. Additional resources provide historical, cultural, and geographical facts concerning this Native American...
University of Alberta
Atlas of Alberta Railways: Before the Railway: Trails, Canoes and York Boats
Presented by the University of Alberta, this resource contains information on the early trade routes used in western Canada before the construction of the railway. The site also provides digital maps showing the locations of the land and...
Gabriel Dumont Institute
The Hudson's Bay Company Trading System [Pdf]
A 42 page learning module presenting a detailed history of the Hudson's Bay Company and the development of their fur trading routes. This document, published in PDF format, contains maps of the trading system, historical timelines and...
PBS
Empire of the Bay: George Simpson
The significance of George Simpson within the Hudson's Bay company is explored in this biography provided by PBS.
PBS
Empire of the Bay: Pierre Le Moyne D'iberville
Learn about Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, a French-Canadian naval hero, and his place in Canadian history.
Wisconsin Historical Society
Wisconsin Historical Society: The French Fur Trade
The beaver was hugely important to Wisconsin during the French fur trade from 1650 to 1850, due to its popularity for use in head wear all over the northern hemisphere. There are many fascinating primary resources and historical articles...
Other
Toronto Public Library: Frozen Ocean: Hudson Bay and the Hudson's Bay Company
Presents historical images and maps of the area that the Hudson's Bay Company controlled.
Other
New York State Museum: Colonial Albany
Provides information about life in the colonial village of Albany. Includes many resources about important structures, happenings, and people. A great resource for information on colonial America as a whole.
Other
The Weekly South Dakotan: South Dakota History for 4th Grade
From the very beginning and through the twentieth century, this comprehensive collection of lessons will enrich students studying the history in between and the effects on South Dakota.
Other
Adriaen Block, the Discovery of Long Island Sound and the New Netherlands Colony
An interesting and comprehensive essay on Adriaen Block, the development of New Netherlands, Dutch trade, and the impact of the Little Ice Age in Europe on fur trade in North America.
Other
Kitikmeot Heritage Society: Angulalik Fur Trade: Stephen Angulalik
This website profiles a fur trader in the 20th Century, over a century after the merger of the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies in 1821. But this website is interesting for assessing the impact of the fur trade on First Nations...
C3 Teachers
C3 Teachers: Inquiries: New France
A comprehensive learning module on New France that includes three supporting questions accompanied by formative tasks and source materials, followed by a summative performance task. Topics covered include where the French explored and...
Gabriel Dumont Institute
Metis Cultural Museum: Cumberland House
Links to a Adobe Reader PDF document that outlines the history associated with Cumberland House in Saskatchewan, with a slight focus on Metis peoples. Extremely detailed, the thirty pages include excellent maps and charts easily...
Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company: His Highness Prince Rupert of the Rhine, First Governor of Hbc
Prince Rupert, Cousin to Charles ll, was the first governor of the Hudson Bay Company. This biography of his life includes some information on his connection with Radisson and des Groseilliers.