During the historic period, the Indians and Inuit of Canada were supplied with a wide range of ornaments by white entrepreneurs, missionaries, explorers and government officials.  These items consisted not of "conventional" adornments such as finger rings, glass beads and wampum, but also utilitarian articles (thimbles, coins and spoons) and natural objects (dentalia and cowrie shells, and feathers).  In addition, the aboriginal peoples also fashioned their own trinkets by modifying imported goods.

This study describes in chronological order how the various "trade ornaments" were used from initial contact to circa 1900 by representative tribes of the seven major native groups of Canada.