History

Part 14

It could also be paddled with as few as five paddlers when the cargo was bulky or when labor was in short supply. The most experienced and skilled were interpreters and guides. These men were paid between two and four times as much.

 Nicolas Landry agrees, and by the present binds himself to Charles McKenzie & Co, here present and accepting for the said company, to winter for two years in the region of Lake Winnipeg in the capacity of interpreter, with exemption from building chopping paddling canoes and portaging Obligation to go en dérouine.

 —contract signed at Fort William, 1803 Guides held the highest position of authority in a brigade during a voyage. They were responsible for steering, guiding and tending the canoes. They made the decisions during the trip and chose the route. They also acted as "foreman" and directed the work of the voyageurs.

 They were responsible for the safety and well-being of all of the canoes and cargo. They insured that nothing was lost due to mishandling by the voyageurs. If any losses occurred, the guide could have the value of the goods lost deducted from the men's wages. June 6th. Started from Ducharge du Fort. Made the portage. 

In these channels the water is sometimes swift and narrow and the course winds for we have gone sometimes North and at others due South. It would be difficult to find the rout at all without an experienced guide for setting aside the intricacy of these turns and windings the guide must have a competent judgment to choose the proper channel . . .

Because they knew the routes and could often speak several native languages, guides earned as much as many clerks. They also were issued special equipment such as a hat, winter coat, pair of trousers, 20 pounds each of biscuit and pork, 15 pounds of white sugar and 1 gallon of rum. As important as guides and interpreters to the safety of the canoe brigade, they were still inferior to the partners and clerks.

 During the voyage or at the wintering post, they were still "servants of the company." This [tea, coffee and chocolate] is independent of the usual allowance carried off in Cases & Baskets but it is understood that neither Interpreters or Guides are entitled to any provision of this kind, they being generally fed at the table of their masters.

Traders relied on Native men to supply them with the animal pelts that would be sold and made into beaver hats and otter trimmed coats for the wealthy. Traders were also dependent on the hunters to provide them with important supplies, such as canoes and snowshoes, and essential provisions, such as food. 

Canoes were needed to transport both people, supplies and merchandise from warehouse to post, from Montreal deep into the wilderness. Native men skilled in canoe building were highly respected by their tribes and Europeans alike. It took years of experience to select and harvest the right materials. 

It required great skill to shape cedar wood, spruce gum and birch bark into a canoe. In early April 1805, John Sayer wrote in his journal that Native men and their families were gathering supplies to repair and build canoes. Later in the month, just before the long journey back to Fort William, Sayer reported that the men made the last of the repairs to the canoes. Sunday 21st[April].

 A Stormy Cold Day with flying Showers. wind NW. Pierro & Shawcobai hower finishd