Establishment of French Trading Posts along the Saskatchewan River

The establishment of French posts reflects an intensification of trade on the Prairies. The influx of French traders fostered competition between Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, and Assiniboine groups over control of the middleman trade in the north. ---------- Also, see entries 'Conflict between Cree and Dene groups over control of the Middleman role in the Fur Trade," "Peace Treaty Between the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the Nehiyaw (Cree): Assiniboine Alliance," and "Bison meat as principal trade item along the Saskatchewan River."