Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2015 — Scotty Bowmon: Native Hawaiion lmpact and Legacy - Fort Vancouver, Washington [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Scotty Bowmon: Native Hawaiion lmpact and Legacy - Fort Vancouver, Washington

Trustee 's note: This month 's eolumn is guest written by Scotty Bowman, myformer chief of staff. At the dawn of the 19th Century, the U.S. and Great Britain struggled for control of North America's northern Pacific Coast, a region rich in furs. By 1818, the countries agreed to share access to the Oregon Country (present-day British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and Idaho) until a boundary was agreed on. During the winter of 1824-

1825, in a bold move designed to anchor Britain's elaim to the Oregon Country, Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), the giant British fur trading organization, built a trading post on the lower Columbia River. The site was selected because it was becoming the de facto boundary between British and American interests. The site offered flat land above the flood plain, easy access to the river and was surrounded by fertile farmlands. The intention was to make the fort self-sufficient, because shipping food was costly. The trading post was named Fort Vancouver and HBC moved its Columbia Department headquarters there from Fort George. Over the next two decades, Fort Vancouver personnel enclosed more than 2,500 acres with fences and grew an excess of peas, oats, barley, wheat, fruit and vegetables to feed habitants and provision other HBC posts. Some food was even exported for sale in Hawai'i, Russia, Alaska and other markets. In addition, the fort heeame the fur trade capitol of the entire Pacific Coast. As fashion carried the beaver hat to the height of popularity, demand for the animal's fur increased tremendously. From Fort Vancouver, HBC dispatched brigades of trappers that included between 50 and 200 men, women and children. Fur trapping was hard and dangerous because it was done during the winter, when pelts are thickest. After almost a year in the wilderness, the brigades canoed back to Fort

Vancouver with their furs. When they arrived, it was a festive time and trappers donned their best and most colorful clothes. Winters in the wilderness convinced many they were superior to the fort's regular work force. Interestingly, many skilled trappers were non-swimmers. That fact concerned HBC officials after some trappers drowned when their canoes capsized in the thawswollen streams and rivers, and their entire winter catch of furs was lost. During a Hawai'i supply stop, one HBC executive was

amazed by the swimming ability of Hawaiians. Shortly thereafter, the company began hiring Hawaiians to comply with its new policy - eaeh HBC eanoe must ineīuāe one Hawaiian. His job, if the eanoe capsized, was to save trappers, tools and supplies, and their winter catch of furs. At the same time, the trading post eompeted with the United States' interests, by representing Britain's business and governmental interests. Its warehouses stocked supplies for the fur brigades, the Native American and settler trade and for the 20 to 30 other company posts. Its shops bustled from dawn to dusk manufacturing as many items as possible. Sunday was the only day of rest. Carts rumbled back and forth piled high with supplies and firewood. Native Americans arrived to trade, passing farmers and herders tending crops and livestock. Company clerks determined how mueh who owed whom. A village was constructed near the fort for company employees and their families. Residents included trappers, blacksmiths, carpenters and other laborers. In its heyday, the village housed over 500 people from diverse backgrounds including Hawaiians, French-Canadians, English, Scottish and members of more than 30 Native Ameriean tribes. It consisted of a variety of small dwellings, with styles reflecting the diversity of its inhabitants. Today, the Fort Vancouver National Site is a premier archeological site well worth visiting. 34/48 ■

Haunani Apnlinna, MSW TrustEE, At-largE