The fur trade was a business that had a large and lasting cultural and economic impact on the northern Great Plains region. It was a cultural meeting ground, and generated profits for business owners and many of the traders. However, while there were some positives in the fur trade, there were many negative impacts as well. In the long run, the fur trade proved destructive for both Native American traditional ways and the natural resources of the region. Violent conflict often broke out between tribes, Europeans, and Americans. Many Native Americans no longer passed traditional skills for making things such as knives or hoes on to new generations since they could now purchase them with furs. They were also exposed to deadly diseases by Europeans and Americans breaking up traditional pathways for learning.
Either together as a class or working in groups, have students study the following three sources: Native Land, European Possessions in North America, and A Fur-Trader in the Council Tepee. What do these two maps depict? What can be inferred from these sources?
Look at the picture "A fur-trader in the council tepee." Facilitate a classroom discussion about it. What do you see in the picture? Where is it? Who is in the picture? How do you know? What are they doing? What do you think they are talking about? Complete a KWL chart based on what the students know about the fur trade.