Late 1700s: Exploration

In the late 1700s, European fur traders became familiar with Saskatchewan north of the Qu’Appelle Valley, with the assistance of Dene and Cree guides.

The Qu’Appelle Valley waterway soon became part of an important trade transportation network. Large freighter canoes (capable of bearing up to three tons of cargo) transported furs and other trade goods back to the East via the Qu’Appelle.

Examples of Beaver-fur Hats
© Public Domain
Castorologi, Or, The History and Traditions of the Canadian Beaver: An Exhaustive Monograph. . . .; Horace T. Martin. Montreal; London: W. Drysdale; E. Stanford, 1892.
Source: National Library of Canada