A Metis Metier: Transportation in Rupert's Land

Abstract

This thesis argues that the provision of transportation services represented one of the core economic activities in the area of western Canada known as Rupert's Land, and that during the period from the amalgamation of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) and the North West Company (NWC) in 1821 until the arrival of the railroads in the area in the mid-1880s, the Metis played a central role in providing those services. The thesis reviews the nature of transportation arrangements within the fur industry of Rupert's Land and describes Metis participation in those arrangements. Metis involvement in both York Boat work and overland transportation by Red River Cart are discussed in detail, as are the York Boats and Red River Carts themselves. The overall value to the Metis economy of their participation in the provision of transportation services is also estimated.