Knowing that the fur trade is Minnesota’s oldest business doesn’t make you think about the trappers or the voyageurs. Not really. But then Arn Kind made a visit to the City of the Fulda, portraying the grand voyageur, Black Jack.
His attentive audience listened as he played a melodious tune on a harmonica, surely one of the instruments enjoyed at night around the campfires by the voyageurs of the years BEFORE Minnesota became a state.
During his presentation, Black Jack talked about how the fur trade grew. He talked with his audience about the progression of trading and what became of value to those who traded. Involved were the furs for metal tools and items that helped to bring about the factors of less work for the Native Americans. But, he also talked about the search for the northwest passage and the trials of the captains of the vessels. He mentioned several brave men who plowed through unchartered waters seeking quicker routes for trading. He included names that you know from history: Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus, Jacques Cartier.
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