The Canadian Beaver
     This is the little critter that started it all! As the Europeans continued to demand more and more beaver pelts the number of fur traders wondering the shores of the Ottawa River increased correspondingly.

     The beaver is one of the largest rodents weighing between 45 and 60 pounds. In the early days of the fur traders beavers weighing over a hundred pounds were not uncommon.

     As the trade grew the beaver skin became the unit of measure. A beaver skin was "coin of the realm" until as late as 1820. For one beaver skin the trapper could buy a half pound of beads, a kettle, 1 pound of shot, 5 pounds of sugar, 1 pound of tobacco, two awls, 12 buttons, or 20 fishhooks. For six skins he could get a blanket. For 12 skins he received a gun, and for four skins a pistol.

 The Coureurs de Bois
     Roving the wild Up Country were some 2,000 coureurs de bois and voyageurs of the old French fur trade. The coureurs de bois, meaning "wood runners," were men who had learned Indian ways and trails and set out with canoes full of goods to trade for furs. The voyageurs, meaning "travelers," were experts in knowledge of waterways, in shooting the rapids, and in portaging heavy loads.

     The strength and endurance of the voyageurs was legendary. It was expected that each voyageur work at least 14 hours a day, paddle 55 strokes per minute and be able to carry two bundles across each portage between the lakes and rivers of the north woods. A bundle generally consisted of beaver pelts or other furs weighing about 90 lbs. on the way to Montreal, or 90 lbs. of trade goods coming from Montreal. A routine portage meant carrying 180 pounds across rugged terrain full of rocks, mud, mosquitoes and black flies. At approximately every ½ mile the voyageurs had a posé where the packs were set down and they ran back to get 2 more. They also had the "privilege" of carrying the bourgeois (or gentleman) in or out of the canoe since it was unacceptable for a gentlemen to get his feet or clothes wet!

 Early Algonquin Fur Trading Encampment
     From the early days of the Algonquin encampments along the Ottawa River, this area has participated heavily in the Fur Trade industry. The net result? None would survive!

     The overhunting and subsequent decline of beavers in the northeast resulted in territorial skirmishes for hunting grounds and control of the waterways that brought furs from the west. These conflicts escalated into the Beaver Wars (1630 -1700) among various tribes and in 1649, the Huron, who were the main suppliers to the French, were defeated by the Iroquois.

     The subsequent collapse of the French fur trade induced the authorities to liberalize the laws in 1653 to permit the bartering of trade goods for furs by others besides the established chartered monopolies. Seizing the opportunity, coureurs de bois, traders and trappers who already lived among native peoples, extended their activities westward where inland tribes were anxious to acquire European goods. At the same time, the prospect of wealth and adventure lured so many French youth to their ranks that only a year later in 1654, the Governor of New France forbade trading without written consent to leave the colony.

     On 2 May, 1670, a Royal Charter was granted by Charles II to the "Company of Adventurers From England Trading into the Hudson's Bay".

     And yet, some survived as is seen in this photo of the Harry J. Sims Company Furriers who operated in the late 1800's near Ottawa. Now Beaver had been replaced with rabbit, fox and deer pelts.

     But the times were changing. The settlers had arrived. The land was being cleared for farming and a new industry was evolving - for the great tall pines would be needed to build the new villages and cities that were springing up - like Bytown.

The Coureurs de Bois Re-enactment in Constance Bay                                                                       Period Costume

     In 1984 the Bay was visited by a group of University students who were re-enacting the route of the Coureurs de Boi and the Voyegeurs. They were completely outfitted in period attire.

     The students spent the night at the community center and put on quite a show that included music, dance and great storytelling.