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History General

Fur Trade Letters of Willie Traill 1864-1893

by (author) William Edward Traill

edited by K. Douglas Munro

Publisher
The University of Alberta Press
Initial publish date
Dec 2006
Category
General
Recommended Age
15
Recommended Grade
10
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780888644602
    Publish Date
    Dec 2006
    List Price
    $38.99
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780888648563
    Publish Date
    Dec 2006
    List Price
    $27.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Son of Catharine Parr Traill and nephew of Susanna Moodie, William Edward Traill, better known as Willie, came by his literary talent naturally. He found employment with the Hudson’s Bay Company in what was to become the Canadian West. His letters home are a rich and detailed portrait of domestic life in the fur trade of the Northwest between 1864 and 1893. At turns gritty then deeply touching but always fascinating and informative, the Willie Traill letters throw open a window on the joys and heartbreaking challenges of family life in the service of the fur trade. Foreword by Michael Peterman.

About the authors

(1844-1917)

William Edward Traill's profile page

K. Douglas Munro, editor of this collection, is the great-grandson of Willie Traill. Encouraged by family to publish the Willie Traill letters, he has spent the last decade pursuing this task. He is retired and lives in Victoria, BC with his wife Adele.

K. Douglas Munro's profile page

Librarian Reviews

Fur Trade Letters of Willie Traill: 1864-1894

This book comprises the letters that Willie Trail sent back to his family and friends during his time at various postings while working for the Hudson’s Bay Company. The letters provide first-hand accounts of what day-to-day life was like in the late 1800s on the Canadian Frontier. It also gives an interesting account of the interactions between HBC traders and First Nations people.

The editor is the great grandson of Willie Traill.

Caution: The language used about First Nations people reflects the attitudes of the time in which the letters were written.

Source: The Association of Book Publishers of BC. Canadian Aboriginal Books for Schools. 2011-2012.