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VOYAGEURS & COURS-DE-BOIS
One of the major areas of the fur trade in northern Alberta was the western end of Lesser Slave Lake, in the vicinity of modern day Grouard. Beginning in 1799 and the arrival of the North West Company (NWC) the area has been home to the XY Company, the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), Bredin & Cornwall, Revillon Frères, and other smaller independent companies and free traders. That the area would be of importance to fur traders is not surprising given the fur and game resources of the area as well as the importance of Lesser Slave Lake as a means of travel through northern Alberta. Large numbers of First
Nations people and Métis lived nearby. Also of importance was the area’s role as the starting
point of the Grouard Trail between the Grouard area and Peace River Crossing.
A major aspect of the history of the fur trade that is often overlooked is the role of the First Nations and Métis. Fur trade companies were, for the most part, completely dependent on these peoples for obtaining furs and game as well as providing labor for other tasks.
The best facility for finding out about the First Nations and Métis of northern Alberta is the Native Cultural Arts Museum at Northern Lakes College in Grouard. Its collections include clothing, trade beads, beadwork, trade goods (tobacco, silver, clay pipes, knives, axe heads and other tools), Hudson’s Bay Company blankets, and traps. Also of interest are examples of NWC and HBC trade tokens.
The Museum has an archival component which includes fur trade related photographs, maps, diaries and letters. The focus of the archival collection is the Lesser Slave Lake fur trade.
The Museum also has a collection of historic buildings which includes a HBC trading post from Atikameg and another HBC post from Grouard.
BASIC INFO
GeoTourism Canada Site #: HP06
Site Ownership: Northern Lakes College
Opened: 1976
Closed: n/a
Operated by: Northern Lakes College Site Size:
Further Reading: www.northernlakescollege.ca
PUBLIC ACCESS
Access: The public has access to the site & Site ID Box when open. Open yearly, except for January.
Winter hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Summer hours: Monday - Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM;
The village is open mid-May to mid-August for group tours only. Please make an appointment with the museum
After Hour Availability: Yes, call the museum at 780-751-3306
Admission: Free, donations welcome
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CREDITS
Author: Dallas Wood
Date: 2007
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