The fur trade is one of the most significant components of Canadian history. It was one of the major factors in drawing European interest to the north of the New World. There were two major companies: the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company. These two companies ran the fur trade in opposition to each other prior to their amalgamation in 1821. Fur trading essentially was the economy of Canada for much of the nations early history.
This example of a beaver pelt is symbolic of Canada's roots as a country. Everything it was, is, and will be comes about because of the fur trade. Beavers were one of the most hunted and traded animals, and were part of the driving force of the Canadian economy.