The Grande Cache area, located in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, was historically used by both Indigenous peoples and European trappers throughout the 1800s. Indigenous peoples had long traversed this rugged region, relying on its rich wildlife and natural resources for sustenance, trade, and cultural practices. With the expansion of the fur trade, European traders and First Nation and Métis trappers began to travel through the area, particularly along the Smoky River basin, which served as an important transportation and trade route during the winter months. During their seasonal journeys, trappers would set up and maintain trap lines to harvest furs from animals such as beavers, lynx, martens, and foxes. As winter progressed and their stores of fur grew, they would create a large “cache.” A cache was used as a secure, hidden storage of pelts to preserve their haul until the spring thaw. These caches were often made by stacking furs on elevated platforms or covered pits to protect them from animals and moisture. In the spring, trappers would retrieve their furs and travel to major trading posts such as Fort Assiniboine and Fort Chipewyan to exchange them for goods. Between 1818 and 1821, Ignace Giasson, an Iroquois trapper, built a large fur cache in this area to store the many furs he was unable to transport through the snow. A replica of this cache, built by Mark Deagle, can be seen to your right. What is now known as the hamlet of Grande Cache is derived from a French term meaning “large hiding place” or “large storage.” It originated during the fur trade era, referring to the area’s significant role as a major storage location for furs.
References: Mountain Trails by Jack Glen, Aseniwuche Winewak Nation, Mountain Metis, Historical Society