Billyfeu at Fort Nelson trading post with black fox pelt, 1913 A-06007

Haida ceremonial cape, with beaver crest 1947 Detail of I-29020

Initially, First Nations people did almost all the trapping, and delivered the furs to trading posts to bargain them for goods and supplies. First Nations peoples traded for blankets and buttons to make treasured art objects like this cape.

As the demand for fur continued to grow in Europe, British and French fur traders began to trap for furs themselves.

The Hudson's Bay Company established outposts to support its trappers and traders. When the company expanded west of the Rocky Mountains, it claimed a monopoly on trade in the area. Forts and settlements were built, including Fort Kamloops (built 1812), Fort Langley (1827) and Fort Victoria (1843). Fort Victoria became the Pacific headquarters for the Hudson's Bay Company.

Interior of Fort Langley, 1858, PDP03395

Fort Victoria, 1862 A-00903

These fur trading domains soon became British colonies. Victoria was made the capital of the colony of Vancouver Island when it was formed (1849). In 1858 the British Parliament revoked the HBC monopoly and established the Colony of British Columbia. The two colonies merged in 1866, and in 1871 joined Canada to become the Province of British Columbia.

Landing a cargo of furs Prince Rupert, 1910 C-08954

Fur trapping and trading continued to be an important part of life in British Columbia right into the twentieth century.

Use the forward arrow to learn more about how immigrants contributed to building the Province of British Columbia.

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