What are the five W's as in, Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How, to French Canadian Voyageurs?

Question

Most accuarent answer will get voted the best.

Answer 1

A coureur de bois was an individual who engaged in the fur trade without permission from the French authorities. The coureurs de bois operated during the 17th century in eastern North America. The term literally means "runner of the woods"

During the 17th century, the fur trade was very lucrative for New France. Competition was fierce and many colonists ventured west and north from the settled territory around Montreal to the pays d'en haut, or "upper country" (the area around the Great Lakes) to seek out native trappers to trade with. These coureurs de bois were not looked upon favorably by Montreal authorities and royal officials. They disapproved of settlers leaving the developing agricultural areas to seek their fortune trading. The French authorities would rather let the transportation of furs be handled by the natives rather than independent unregulated colonial traders who were bringing in so many furs that the market was oversupplied. However, after the destruction of the Huron Confederacy by the Iroquois Confederacy, they became a necessity, their numbers increasing greatly. This traffic in furs also undermined Montreal's role as the focal point for the fur trade - where traders would exchange beaver pelts for trade goods such as clothing, muskets and copper pots. Some of these illicit traders also caused problems by trading alcohol for furs.

Some coureurs de bois became famous, including Étienne Brulé, Louis Joliet, Médard des Groseilliers, Pierre-Esprit Radisson, Jean Nicolet, Guillaume Couture, Jean-Baptiste Chalifoux and Jacques de Noyon.