Canadian Beaver Fur Hat: A Historical Artefact Reflecting Social, Economic, and Cultural Changes

The essay discusses the historical significance of the Canadian beaver fur hat as an artefact that reflects social, economic, and cultural changes in Canada during the 16th to 17th century. It explores the impact of the hat on the fur trade, the traditional sector, and the political landscape of Canada. The essay also highlights the cultural significance of the beaver fur hat as a symbol of Canada's sovereignty.

HISTORY

Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................2
Beaver Fur Hat.......................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................4
References.............................................................................................................................................5

Introduction
The essay deals with the discussion of an artefact in the Canadian history during 16th to 17th
century. Artifact is an article, which is made and shaped by human. Many artefacts have been
found in the history of the world in form of tool, art, archaeological interest or any object but
beaver fur hat has special place in the history of Canada. The below essay will discuss about
beaver hat of Canada. This hat leads to many transformations whether it is political, social,
cultural, and environmental changes Canada`s policies because it is often said that Canada
has become important hub for the business of hats (CBC/Radio-Canada, 2016).
Beaver Fur Hat
This artefact was made up of barbed hair that could give long-term luxury and comfort, this
hat was not only waterproof but also resilient. In 1950-60s, there was almost no substitute for
fashion-concerned person. This hat was extracted from the native animals of Aquatic habitats
with wide range of colours, shiny skin, and thick fur (CBC/Radio-Canada, 2016).
During 1530s and 1540s in the voyages, French explorer had conducted fur trading from
Europe as their first nation, that was associated with 16th century and it was later explored in
North America. Slowly European beaver population started depleting and it had collided with
establishing European colonies in North America. This artefact had become an integral part
of trade economy of the Canadian fur. Beaver`s population in north America was favourable
and this had fuller coats that was more desirable in fur trading. After North America, Canada
and French played an important role in establishing north America`s fur trade
(Discoverwildlife, 2018). Aboriginal hunters and European kept supplying which had
capitalised the popularity of beaver in European market. Fur traders introduced newcomers
into the Canadian 17th and 18th century (Discoverwildlife, 2018). As soon as it entered in
Canada, it had become an economic motivator in order to keep the Europeans in same
continent. Production of beaver fur hats had positive impact on traditional sectors such as

agriculture, food preparations, gathering, and aboriginal hunters (Herscovici, 2017). The
traditional sector accounted for approximately 70-80% of the indigenous labour. Several
policies changed when the prices paid to the indigenous hunters did not raise but one or the
other hand it changeed in regime when Indians finally chose to limit the harvesting because
of closely related property rights (Discoverwildlife, 2018).
Fur trade history of Canada replicated that various culture is at its best because of flow of fur
from North America, English, French, and other who had worked for so many years so that it
can make beaver Fur hat in a remarkable industry (Frégault, 1964). Fur beaver hat is both
commodity and cultural icon. Huron had honoured beaver fur as a sign of tribe. Aboriginals
used this beaver fur hat and signed the treaties and agreements. In 1975, beaver was
profoundly as an official symbol by a group of private member bill in House of Commons.
The main drive of this bill was to identify the beaver as sign of Canada`s sovereignty
(Frégault, 1964). The importance of beaver was to explore, discover, and settle just through
sign as made in Canada that is in the history of the Canada. Without any natural killing and
human hunting which was concerned with the way by the massive forest bushes which
resulted into destroying of trees and flooding (Herscovici, 2017). From the perspective of
political impact, Canadian government had noticed that beaver had started becoming extinct
due to excessive trading of Fur. Canada might not even exist if Fur could not support it
economically. Since 16th century, beaver continued to vary from time to time when Victoria
reached. The time when silk had become prior preferences material as a part of trading
(Frégault, 1964). During 1715 and seven year`s war, the fur trade expanded to a major extent
and as it served a huge variety of resolutions which ultimately reflected changes in economic,
scientific, and political conditions. Educated Frenchman were keen to know and shoed their
interested in scientific inquiry. Other governmental members were eager to find the extent to

which Frenchmen was the first to discover an overland route to divert it to the western seas
(Schmutz, and Saskatoon, 2018).
Conclusion
From the above historical discussion on artefact, it can be said that Canadian beaver hat had
reflected several changes in terms of social, economic, cultural, economic factors of Canada.
It can be interpreted that this hat is the outcome of various cultures ranging from North
America to English to Canada to French. Apart from this, the economy had been influenced
to a great extent which it used the sign and symbol of beaver as a sign to treaties among the
people.

References
CBC/Radio-Canada, (2016). Provider of fur, food and floods, the beaver is a Canadian
symbol. Retrieved from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/beaver-canada-symbols-1.3658037
Discoverwildlife, (2018). How are beavers responsible for the exploration of Canada?.
Retrieved from: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/how-are-beavers-
responsible-for-the-exploration-of-canada/
Frégault, G. (1964). Canadian society in the French regime. Canadian Historical Association.
Herscovici, A. (2017). The Country that Fur Built: Canada’s Fur Trade History. Retrieved
from: https://www.truthaboutfur.com/blog/canada-fur-trade-history/
WAISER, B. and STARPHOENIX, S. (2017). History Matters: Beaver felt made best hats.
Retrieved from: https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/history-matters-beaver-felt-
made-best-hats
Waldram, J. B., Herring, A., & Young, T. K. (2006). Aboriginal health in Canada: Historical,
cultural, and epidemiological perspectives. University of Toronto Press.