History

Part 3

Brigades were usually made up of three to six canoes. Crews manning larger lake canoes usually consisted of a guide, steersman and eight paddlers. A large canoe could carry up to fourteen men. 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 hunted animals for pelts, as well as for meat. Meat was a welcome trade item at the isolated wintering posts since meat was the mainstay of the winter diet. Since traders rarely brought enough other food for everyone at the post, meat was a large percentage of the food that kept them alive through the winter.