The Canadian fur trade significantly impacted the relationship between Indigenous people and settlers in several ways. Initially, Indigenous groups acted as key partners in the fur trade, providing valuable knowledge of the land and resources, as well as guiding settlers and traders. However, as demand for fur grew, settlers began to encroach on Indigenous territories, leading to competition for resources.
This encroachment resulted in conflicts over land and hunting rights. The fur trade also introduced new diseases to Indigenous populations, which decimated their communities. Furthermore, the settler economy often undermined traditional Indigenous ways of life, causing social and cultural disruptions.
As settlers sought to expand their influence, treaties were sometimes made under coercive circumstances, leading to further mistrust. Overall, while the fur trade began as a cooperative effort, it ultimately strained relationships between Indigenous peoples and European settlers, creating lasting tensions that persist to this day.