Beaver Club Medal

Tales and Treasures from the rich legacy of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Written by Canada’s History staff

 — Posted March 10, 2010
The Manitoba Museum, HBC Collection

This medal belonged to Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

It was given to members of the Beaver Club — fur traders who had spent at least one year on the frontier.

The Montreal-based club was founded in 1785 by the HBC’s rival, the North West Company. Simpson received his medal in 1820, one year before the merger of the two companies.

A Century of History in Your Pocket

 

Canada’s History Archive, featuring The Beaver, is now available for your browsing and searching pleasure!

Browse The Beaver

This article originally appeared in the April-May 2010 issue of Canada’s History magazine.

Themes associated with this article

Related to Fur Trade

Spectacular Knife

Often called a buffalo knife or chief’s knife, this artifact was described as “extremely heavy… a sort of butcher’s cleaver with a point instead of squared-off end.”

Article

The Bible Bag

Women embraced the abundance of colours of glass beads to create beautiful designs, like this elaborate and symmetrical floral pattern.

Article

Liquor Stand & Decanter

A liquor stand and decanter that once belonged to HBC Chief Factor John Rae.

Article

Tales & Treasures: Plain Clothes

Dr. Jamie Morton shows us two examples of Indigenous clothing items from the Canadian prairies: A moose hide coat from the John Halkett collection and a beaded Cree hood, both made with HBC trade goods.

Video