What are the responsibilities of the courers des bois?

The coureurs des bois were independent French-Canadian fur traders in the 17th and 18th centuries who ventured into the wilderness to trade with Indigenous peoples. Their primary responsibilities included trapping and gathering furs, navigating remote areas, and establishing trade relationships with Native American tribes. Additionally, they often acted as cultural intermediaries, facilitating exchanges between French settlers and Indigenous communities while exploring and mapping the North American interior. Their activities significantly contributed to the fur trade economy and the expansion of French influence in North America.