Part 2: Fur Trade on the Red River

Questions: Sections 5-6

Comprehension Questions

  1. Who established the first post office in North Dakota?
  2. When and where did the first school open in North Dakota?
  3. What did the local Catholic priest do after the US and Canada boundary was determined?
  4. Who re-opened the Pembina mission 25 years later?
  5. What was the name of the settlement that was set up 30 miles west of Pembina? What is it called today?
  6. What is the oldest building in North Dakota? Where is it located?
  7. Who established the first flour mill in North Dakota? What does a flour mill do?
  8. Who brought the first church bell to North Dakota? Where is it located today?
  9. What was named in honor of Father Belcourt?
  10. Who brought the first printing press to North Dakota?
  11. Who started the first permanent non-Indian agricultural community in North Dakota? What was named in his honor?
  12. Who spoke English, French, and nearly every Indian language in the territory? What was his nickname?
  13. What North Dakota city did Bottineau map out? What was named in his honor?
  14. What three men represented the Pembina District Métis in the Minnesota Territorial legislature?
  15. Who operated the first steamboat on the Red River? What was the name of the boat?
  16. How many names did the Red River’s first steamboat have? What were they?
  17. What finally put the steamboats out of business?

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. In 1873, a county was named in honor of Antoine Gingras. In 1881, it was renamed “Wells” in honor of Edward Wells, a banker from Jamestown who served for two years in the legislature of Dakota Territory. What do you think of this name change? Explain.
  2. Explain the steps in shipping a product from St. Louis to Fort Garry. Include the rivers used and each means of transportation.