Bonjour! - White Oak Furpost

This is the French word for Hello and Boozhoo!

The French were among the first Europeans to visit the north woods. A few early explorers visited during the 1500's. They searched for a northwest route to the treasures of the orient, but the furs they located turned out to be the real treasure. French explorers and traders started developing the fur trade system in the early 1600's and controlled it for more than 150 years.

Many of the words used in the fur trade period were French, even after the British and Americans gained control. Many French speaking people continued to be involved with the fur trade and helped to maintain the French traditions and customs among the fur traders.

Following the French and Indian War with the British, they were forced to give up control of Canada which included much of what is now the northern United States. The British continued the fur trade system until the early 1800's. Then they lost control after losing the War of 1812 to the Americans. The Americans continued the fur trade until around 1850.

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