"He was neither a soldier nor a slave: he was under the control of no man": Kahnawake Mohawks in the Northwest Fur Trade, 1790–1850

摘要: From 1790 to the 1850s hundreds of Kahnawake men signed fur trade contracts, part a vast, Montreal-centred, salaried labour force that fuelled peltry for two centuries. However, these Mohawks constituted more than simply native subset largely French Canadian voyageur brigades. were coveted their abilities as canoe men, ruthless talents trappers, and fearsome warrior reputation. Such martial qualities had special value during “fur wars” 1798–1804 1815–1821. These pursued contracts economic Mohawk-specific cultural reasons. For young difficult employment, distant from home associated with potential violence, was means experience rites passage adolescence manhood prove qualities. Racialized white views need woodsmen warriors reputations thus coincided Mohawk masculinity adventure income.