Fur trading between Native Americans and European settlers began as early as 1598, with Indigenous tribes playing a significant role in providing highly sought-after furs, including fox pelts. The silver black fox, a mutation of the common red fox, is native only to North America.
Its fur was particularly valuable because it fetched significantly higher prices than the red variety—sometimes hundreds of dollars more per pelt. Early fur farmers naturally focused on this rare species, seeing its economic potential. John Hadley of Wellington County, Ontario, attempted the first silver fox breeding around 1860, though he discontinued the effort after a short time (Duncan Wayne Henrie, 1930).
The Sale of Live Foxes
The sale of live foxes by Native Americans to white settlers exemplifies the complex exchanges that occurred during the fur trade era. Foxes, particularly those with black or silver coats (a genetic variation of the red fox), were highly prized for their fur. Many Native American tribes, such as the Ojibwe, Cree, and Meskwaki (Fox tribe), were deeply involved in the fur trade, exchanging animal pelts for European goods, such as metal tools and weapons. Black foxes, being rare, were especially valuable.
The fur trade, which started in the 16th century, had a profound impact on Native American economies and ways of life. As demand for pelts grew, Indigenous tribes intensified their hunting and trapping efforts, leading to changes in both economic and social structures. While some benefited from the trade, many tribes were eventually displaced and exploited as European settlers increasingly controlled the industry.
Efforts to Domesticate and Breed Foxes
By the late 19th century, efforts to domesticate and breed foxes for their fur began to take hold in North America. In 1898, Johann Beitz brought silver foxes from Alaska to Quebec and successfully bred them in captivity. Similarly, L.L. Burrowman of Ontario was credited with keeping foxes domesticated for 20 years, and by 1903 his stock had significantly increased. These breeding programs laid the foundation for a more commercialized fox farming industry, especially in Canada, with pioneers like R.E. Hamilton and the Gillis brothers introducing the practice in Ontario around 1910-1911.
One of the key moments in the domestication of foxes came from J.E. Milligan and George Morrison in Alaska. Morrison recounted that his inspiration came from a chance encounter with a Native trader, who brought three fox pups to his store. Morrison purchased them and successfully bred the foxes, establishing a strain of Alaskan ranch-bred foxes. This initiative coincided with similar efforts in places like Prince Edward Island, which became a major hub for fox farming.
The Rise of Fox Farming
By the late 19th century, interest in breeding foxes for fur led to the development of fox farming in North America. In 1898, Johann Beitz brought silver foxes from Alaska to Quebec, successfully breeding them in captivity. Similarly, L.L. Burrowman of Ontario was credited with domesticating foxes for over 20 years, and by 1903, his stock began to increase significantly. These early efforts laid the groundwork for the commercial fox farming industry, with pioneers like R.E. Hamilton and the Gillis brothers introducing the practice in Ontario around 1910-1911.
One notable moment in the history of fox domestication came from Alaska, where J.E. Milligan and George Morrison bred a strain of ranch-bred foxes. Morrison recounted how his inspiration came from a chance encounter with a Native trader who brought three fox pups to his store. Morrison purchased the pups, bred them successfully, and established a strain that would later be known as Alaskan ranch-bred foxes.
The Growth of the Fox Fur Industry
The fox fur industry grew rapidly in the early 20th century, extending into regions such as the Yukon Territory, where melanistic red foxes were bred for their valuable fur. The industry became highly profitable, and by the 1920s, commercial fox farms were being established in the UK, using foxes imported from Canada. This shift from wilderness trapping to organized breeding marked a significant change in the industry, with fox fur becoming one of the most coveted luxury items of the time.
These developments highlight the broader economic and cultural changes brought about by the fur trade, as well as the important role Native Americans and early settlers played in its expansion. Unfortunately, as the industry grew, the benefits increasingly shifted toward European settlers, leaving many Native communities marginalized and their resources exploited.
Sources:
Native North American Indian - Old Photos
Economic Aspects of the Silver Fox Industry... in Northern Utah
