![Picture](/uploads/2/4/7/5/24751109/6916309.jpg?492)
Red River Settlement:
When European explorers first came to the area of Red River (present day Winnipeg, MB), they traded goods like blankets, pots, guns etc. for furs from the First Nations people.
Because furs were a very popular fashion item in Europe, several fur trading companies built trading posts all across western Canada. The Red River area was a popular location for trading posts because its was centrally located and close to several different waterways that easily allowed for the export of furs to Eastern Canada, the USA and Europe.
The 2 major trading companies were:
1) Hudson's Bay Company
2) North West Company
When European explorers first came to the area of Red River (present day Winnipeg, MB), they traded goods like blankets, pots, guns etc. for furs from the First Nations people.
Because furs were a very popular fashion item in Europe, several fur trading companies built trading posts all across western Canada. The Red River area was a popular location for trading posts because its was centrally located and close to several different waterways that easily allowed for the export of furs to Eastern Canada, the USA and Europe.
The 2 major trading companies were:
1) Hudson's Bay Company
2) North West Company
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/7/5/24751109/4277587.jpg)
The Hudson's Bay Company hired mainly English speaking Scottish men, while the North West Company hired mostly French speaking men from Quebec to be fur traders.
By 1812, a man by the name of Lord Selkirk had established a strong community of Scottish immigrants in the area of Red River much to the displeasure of the large population of Metis.
By 1812, a man by the name of Lord Selkirk had established a strong community of Scottish immigrants in the area of Red River much to the displeasure of the large population of Metis.