Fur is king.

Centuries ago when the first colonial settlers arrived it was the legends of a distant land so abundante with gold that the streams appeared like yellow veins and the city homes had gold tiled roofs, that caused them to venture across the seas and the great unknown.
When they finally believed that gold was as rare in this new land as it was in the old, they looked for other ways to make money. Furs were abundant as the original people hunted for their needs not wants. Taking what they needed for food, clothing and shelter, the idea of mass trapping was a foreign idea as even inter tribal trading was objects one could not obtain easily. Fur was a fashion back across the seas, and more so when it was discovered that pressed beaver could make felt. The appetite for furs was insatiable. With the new foriegn goods available for trade the indigenous people were eager to venture further and further into the wilderness in search of furs. With so much riches out there even a few colonial settlers ventured out. As fur baring animals were depleted people were forced to go further and further north and west. Out posts, and forts were established. Town and cities sprung around them. As the fur wars and pemmican wars escalated the wood forts were torn down with stone keeps and castles built. Walled cities expanded around the growing towns.
Great forests were welcomed as the forests of the settlers had nearly been depleted. Now vast trees perfect for ship masts and lumber for their construction were available. After hauling raw logs proved difficult, ship yards were build. Great ships constructed from these new lands, crewed by those back home.
Furs build the Dominion and the Long knives to the south. Gold was found here and there causing great rushes of adventurers and fools hoping to find a quick fortune.