DCHP-1 Online
Gens Cdn French, Fur Trade, Hist. 
n. people (used in various combinations by the traders and voyageurs to identify Indians of certain regions and fur-company men associated with certain departments). See quotes.
- 1794 (1929) This with little difference is ye manner in which the Beaver Hunters are treated, but the Gens du large [Plains Indians] consisting of Blackfeet, Gros Ventres, Blood Indians, Piedgans &, are treated with less liberality.
- 1847f (1910) "Gens du Fou" . . . inhabit a wide country which extends from the sources of the Porcupine and Peel to those of the River of the Mountain Men.
- 1887 They are the Gens de Bois or Wood Indians of the fur-traders.
- 1913 . . . the challenge was generally addressed to "le meilleurs" of the offending district, the men of which were known by such nicknames as "Les Blaireaux," or badgers of Saskatchewan; "Les Cygnes," or Swans of Swan River; "Les Rabisca," of Athabasca; or "Les Gens de la Grande Riviere," of Mackenzie River.
- 1918 The Hudson's Bay Company's people were termed les Anglois or les Gens de la Baie d' Urson [sic] or les Gens du Petit Nord. The North West Company's people were called les Gens du Nord-Ouest.
- 1951 Gens du large [are] the mounted Indians of open land.
- 1794 (1929) This with little difference is ye manner in which the Beaver Hunters are treated, but the Gens du large [Plains Indians] consisting of Blackfeet, Gros Ventres, Blood Indians, Piedgans &, are treated with less liberality.