Trade Fairs
Meeting Distant Peoples
Trade was based on the fact
that different groups of people had access to different
resources. Transporting goods over land was done mainly on foot.
To carry heavy burdens, Aboriginal peoples used
baskets,
bags, bundles and
tumplines -
carrying straps placed around a
person's head or chest. Dogs carried packs and pulled sleds,
toboggans or
travois.
Travois consisted of two long poles
hitched to the dog's sides, with a webbed frame for holding
baggage. For water travel, people used canoes and rafts.
Aboriginal people on the Plains spoke many different languages.
They also developed a special sign language
to communicate with strangers. Through
hand and finger gestures, they were able to
transmit complex ideas quickly and reliably. Spoken languages
with limited vocabularies - or trade jargons - were
used in some regions. Having solved transportation and
communication problems, First Peoples established trade networks
that spanned the continent.
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Great Plains sign language
Drawings: Susan Laurie-Bourque
© Canadian Museum of Civilization |
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Arrow |
Awl |
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Angry |
Among |
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Arrive here |
Arrive there |
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Major historic trade centres and travel routes
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