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During the late 1700s and early 1800s, as trade demands surged, the Hudson's Bay Company and North West Company sought pemmican to fuel their treks. This led to the infamous “Pemmican Proclamation,” which regulated hunting and sparked the Pemmican War—highlighting how essential this food source was to survival and trade.
The Legacy of Pemmican Today
Today, pemmican is reevaluated not just as historical sustenance but as a representation of endurance and resourcefulness. The crafted product, though primarily utilitarian, carries flavors and stories of survival on the North American frontier. Preparing it allows one to connect to the past on a culinary level, fostering a deeper understanding of early settlers, indigenous cultures, and their mutual dependencies.