A voyageur was an adventurer who journeyed by canoe from Montréal to the interior to trade with Indians for furs. At the close of the 17th century, the term was applied to selected COUREURS DE BOIS, hired by Montréal merchants to arrange and sustain trading alliances with Indian bands. The term later included all FUR TRADE participants: the merchant (BOURGEOIS), his clerk (commis) and contracted servants (engagés). Today, the term "voyageur" suggests the romantic image of men paddling the canoes in the fur brigades which traversed much of the continent, living lives full of perilous adventure, gruelling labour and boisterous cameraderie.
 Shooting the RapidsShooting the rapids, in a master canoe. Painting by Francis Ann Hopkins (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/C2774f).
 Voyageurs at DawnPainting by Frances Ann Hopkins. The overturned canoes make temporary shelters for the men (courtesy Library and Archives Canada/C-2773).
 Canoe Manned by Voyageurs Passing a WaterfallOil on canvas by Frances Anne Hopkins, 1869 (courtesy Library and Archives Canada 1989-401-1X; C-2771).
Author
JOHN E. FOSTER
Links to Other Sites
Canoes in a Fog, Lake Superior
View the historical painting, Canoes in a Fog, Lake Superior, by Canadian artist Francis Anne Hopkins at this Glenbow Museum website.
The Société Historique de Saint-Boniface
The Heritage Centre conserves and promotes resources which have cultural, heritage, judicial, and historical value; the product of Francophone presence in Western Canada and Manitoba for over the past 250 years. Their website is a great source for information about Louis Riel, Le "Voyageur," and other Manitoba history topics.
Hudson's Bay Company: Heritage
This colourful HBC website documents over 300 years of company history. Features illustrated biographies of prominent personalities, an online art collection, e-books, historical games, timelines, interactive maps, and much more.
Rendez-vous Voyageur
Follow the rivers and trails of voyageurs and fur traders through Canada's western frontiers. Also check out the glossary and related learning resources. From the TVOntario website.
Glossary: North West Company
A glossary of special fur trade terms and indexes to personal names, geographical place names and native tribes. A website from McGill University.
Glossary: Fur Trade
A glossary of terms commonly used in reference to the history of Canada's fur trade. From the website for Alberta's Heritage Community Foundation.
Follow the path of the voyageurs with a paddle up the Ottawa River
A travel article highlights a day long canoeing trip down the historic Ottawa River along the old voyageur route. From the province.com.
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