In what is now Canada, Voyageurs were traditionally self-employed or contract workers affiliated with Hudson’s Bay Company from 1670, and the North West Company from 1779, through the 1800s.
The early Voyageurs came from the old world to the new, learning to navigate the new territory and to communicate with its inhabitants. They learned the ways of two worlds and effectively served as bridges between them. As time went on, their descendants were born of both those worlds, blending their cultures together into a distinct culture of their own, with many regional variations. Many of these descendants became known as Metis, many of which were repeatedly driven westward by the expansion of Canada through the late 1800s.
Voyageurs were independent contractors, workers or minor partners in companies involved in the fur trade. They were licensed to transport goods to trading posts and were usually forbidden to do any trading of their own. The fur trade changed over the years, as did the groups of men working in it. In the 17th century, voyageurs were often coureurs des bois — unlicensed traders responsible for delivering trade goods from suppliers to Indigenous peoples. The implementation of the trading licence system in 1681 set voyageurs apart from coureurs des bois, who were then considered outlaws of sorts. Today, the word voyageur, like the term coureur des bois, evokes the romantic image of men canoeing across the continent in search of furs. Their life was full of perilous adventure, gruelling work and cheerful camaraderie.
(The Canadian Encyclopedia, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/voyageur)
By the beginning of the 20th century, Voyageurs were rare, with the majority of those remaining choosing to live in northern areas on the edges of society. So now, in the 21st century, have Voyageurs disappeared entirely? Or are they still relegated to the fringes of the so-called civilized world? What of those of us with Voyageur spirit strong in our blood? Is there something of them buried into our nature, driving us to desperately seek new frontiers and blend modern approaches with traditional? Is it possible to participate in the modern world while still honouring the land and teachings of our ancestors? As descendants of multiple lines and generations of Voyageurs, this is one area of interest.
Beyond that, we will be sharing stories of our ancestral and multi-cultural history, present-day and recent-past travels, and stories and histories of the lands and people we touch. We hope you enjoy and look forward to sharing stories with you!
