Spruce Woods goes back to fur trade

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This article was published 30/12/2018 (2612 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SPRUCE WOODS — Guests were transported back in time Saturday as they followed in the footsteps of late 18th and early 19th century fur traders at the Spruce Woods Provincial Park Canadian Free Traders Festival.

Spruce Woods senior park interpreter Jennifer Bryson helped plan the Saturday afternoon snowshoe trip that was attended by around 40 people.

The Canadian Free Traders Festival took place over Saturday and Sunday, celebrating the history of Spruce Woods during the fur trade.

“It was a great adventure, snowshoeing out to a free-traders cabin,” Bryson said.

Guests were able to participate in an approximately two-kilometre round trip, snowshoeing the trails used by fur traders. Along the hike, volunteers reenacted the experience of the fur traders, including a standoff between rival traders at the end of the hike near a Métis winter cabin.

“This trail that we’re walking on would have been used during the fur trade, and these events actually occurred in this park. It’s part of the park’s heritage and history,” Bryson said.

Upon arriving at the cabin, guests were treated to a warm fire paired with homemade bannock, Labrador tea and hot chocolate.

Spruce Woods was home to Pine Fort, an original supply post near the Assiniboine river. But as the building no longer stands, the cabin acted as a stand-in.

The goal of the interpretive program was to transport people back in time, helping them to relive and understand the experience of the fur traders.

“The culture, history and knowledge is all there ready for us to tap into,” Bryson said.

The warm weather over the weekend was a welcome reprieve this trip, as last year organizers faced weather that fell to around 50 C with the wind chill.

Guests are often surprised at what they learn during interpretive hikes, Bryson said, frequently finding fun facts out that create inspiring “aha” moments.

Chris Black led the hike in character as the historical fur trader John MacDonell of the Northwest Company. The Northwest Company was one of the biggest rival to the Hudson’s Bay Company from 1784 to 1821, until they were purchased by the Hudson’s Bay Company, Black said.

Jay Ruston was second in command during the trip, representing one of the voyageurs that helped establish the trading post Pine Fort.

With authentic hand made musket replicas, 17th-century clothing including mukluks, wool waist coats and various pouches, bags and short swords on hand, Black and Ruston were ready to transport guests back in time.

The duo also enlisted guests helped pull a sled with trade goods.

Along the hike, the duo stopped periodically to share information on the history of the park, including stories about the fur traders and voyageurs.

Highlighting thousands of years of Indigenous history, Black said many fur traders made their way out to Spruce Woods based on their relationships with the Indigenous people and the Métis.

With people from around the world signing up to find work and adventure, Black compared to the 18th-century fur traders to contemporary workers who set off from home to find work in industries like oil, mining or fishing.

“They kind of laid the framework for everywhere,” Black said, describing how the fur traders helped create the foundation for European expansion in Canada.

Hoping the event helps guests recognize and respect contemporary resources like running water, electricity and instant messages, Black said the fur traders and voyageurs helped create the landscape of Manitoba seen today.

“Somebody really had to forge that path, Spruce Woods is a wonderful park because it preserves the natural history and our history as a country,” Black said.

Martina Armstrong, an event participant, was impressed with the snowshoeing hike. A former resident of Glenboro, she said she knew the interpreters do an awesome job of hosting events, and decided to attend the Canadian Free Traders Festival after finding the event on Facebook.

“It’s wonderful, so much information and so many wonderful people,” Armstrong said.

Feeling fortunate that it was a beautiful day, Armstrong said she especially enjoyed the pit stops on the way to cabin, where she had the opportunity to learn about the history of the fur trade.

“Spruce Woods is huge and it’s beautiful,” Armstrong said. “Come with an open mind and have some fun.”

The group held a 19th-century housewife sewing workshop on Sunday, where guests had the opportunity to create a sewing kit.

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

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