User:GEG3309 Johnston/Red River cart

The Red River Cart is a variation of a horse drawn wagon developed by the Métis to better traverse plains specific geographical elements. The cart is large by design to carry large loads of cargo and equipped with two large wheels to better navigate on flat terrain. The cart was made entirely of wood due to lack of metallic resources on the plains and for easy on the road repairs with the use of natural resources. Due to its lightweight material it allowed for more cargo weight and the ability to more easily ford rivers. With its significant design the Red River Cart became the staple cargo cart on the plains for both the Métis and European fur traders becoming a large influencer in the commercialization of the buffalo hunt.

Designs
The Red River Cart was noted to undergo two changes in the notes of Alexander Henry the Younger a North West Company fur trader. The first variation of the cart in Henrys notes appear in his September 1st 1801 journal entry at Pembia River post: