Every March between 1826 and 1854, the York Factory Express began its journey from the Hudson's Bay Company's headquarters on the Pacific Ocean, where the express-men paddled their boats up the Columbia River to the base of the Rocky Mountains at Boat Encampment, a thousand miles to the east. At Jasper's House they were 3,000 feet above sea level. Their river route would return them to salt water once more, at York Factory, on the shores of Hudson Bay. It was an amazing climb and an amazing descent, and they would do a similar climb and descent on their journey home to the mouth of the Columbia. The stories of the York Factory Express, and of the Saskatchewan Brigades they joined at Edmonton House, are told in the words of the Scottish traders and clerks who wrote the journals. However, the voyageurs who made the journey possible are the invisible, unnamed Canadiens, Orkney-men, Iroquois, and their Métis children and grand-children, who powered the boats back and forthacross the continent every year. But their history was oral. If the traders had not preserved the stories the voyageurs told them, we would not know this history today -- as it is portrayed in The York Factory Express.
Fifteen years before the 1858 Fraser River gold rush, a Hudson’s Bay Company clerk named Alexander Caulfield Anderson threaded his way through mountain passes and down rapids-filled rivers in search of a safe all-British route through the mountains that separated the HBC fort at Kamloops from Fort Langley on the Pacific coast. Eventually, Anderson discovered four routes, succeeding where Alexander Mackenzie and Simon Fraser before him had failed. Without his explorations, historian Derek Pethick once wrote, British Columbia may never have come into being or become a part of the Dominion of Canada. For Anderson, the cross-country expeditions he undertook were welcome antidotes to a fur-trade life that wasn’t quite what he’d expected it to be. By the time he joined, in 1831, it was in fact a tightly controlled business that was very different from the adventurous trade that had inspired him. But though he may not have had his dream life, his spirit of adventure kept him going. As explorer, map-maker, artist and writer, he created a wealth of information to guide those of his time and far beyond, and his work—first in the fur trade, then in the communities in which he lived, and finally as Fisheries Inspector and Indian Reserve Commissioner for British Columbia—was always aimed at improving the future of the people he lived among.
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the North West and Hudson�s Bay companies extended their operations beyond the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. There they encountered a mild and forgiving climate and abundant natural resources and, with the aid of Native traders, branched out into farming, fishing, logging, and mining. Following its merger with the North West Company in 1821, the Hudson�s Bay Company set up its headquarters at Fort Vancouver on the lower Columbia River. From there, the company dominated much of the non-Native economy, sending out goods to markets in Hawaii, Sitka, and San Francisco. Trading Beyond the Mountains looks at the years of exploration between 1793 and 1843 leading to the commercial development of the Pacific coast and the Cordilleran interior of western North America. Mackie examines the first stages of economic diversification in this fur trade region and its transformation into a dynamic and distinctive regional economy. He also documents the Hudson�s Bay Company�s employment of Native slaves and labourers in the North West coast region.
It's the summer of 1942, and FBI agent Joe Lucas has come to Cuba at the behest of the Director to keep an eye on Ernest Hemingway in the Caribbean. Lucas thinks of it as a demotion--a babysitting job for a famous writer who has decided to play spy, assembling a team of misfits including an American millionaire, a twelve-year-old Cuban orphan, a Spanish jai alai champion and more in a would-be espionage ring Hemingway dubs the "Crook Factory."
Fifteen years before the 1858 Fraser River gold rush, a Hudson's Bay Company clerk named Alexander Caulfield Anderson threaded his way through mountain passes and down rapids-filled rivers in search of a safe all-British route through the mountains that separated the HBC fort at Kamloops from Fort Langley on the Pacific coast. Eventually, Anderson discovered four routes, succeeding where Alexander Mackenzie and Simon Fraser before him had failed. Without his explorations, historian Derek Pethick once wrote, British Columbia may never have come into being or become a part of the Dominion of Canada. For Anderson, the cross-country expeditions he undertook were welcome antidotes to a fur-trade life that wasn't quite what he'd expected it to be. By the time he joined, in 1831, the fur trade was in fact a tightly controlled business that was very different from the adventurous trade that had inspired him. But though he may not have had his dream life, his spirit of adventure kept him going. As explorer, map-maker, artist and writer, he created a wealth of information to guide those of his time and far beyond, and his work--first in the fur trade, then in the communities in which he lived, and finally as Fisheries Inspector and Indian Reserve Commissioner for British Columbia--was always aimed at improving the future of the people he lived among.
Five Ages of Canada tells the comprehensive tale of the nation’s origins and formation. Graham’s First Age introduces Canada’s First Inhabitants: the Palaeo-Indians from Northern Asia, their descendants, and the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of today. The Second Age began in the early 1500s with fishing fleets from England, France, Portugal and the Basque region of Spain who spent their summers fishing offshore Newfoundland. One hundred years later permanent British settlements were established in our Atlantic Province. Samuel de Champlain’s efforts to create New France and the battle for dominion between England and France, constitutes Graham’s Third Age, and his Fourth Age covers the fur trade that was responsible for the exploration, mapping and eventual settlement of the west. Lastly, the Fifth Age — which Graham calls “The Road to Confederation” — is the story of Sir John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier and the other Fathers of Confederation. It is also the story of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, legendary Métis leader Louis Riel and much more. Having long been passionate about the country’s history, Graham and his wife Jay travelled 40,000 km in a Roadtrek camper van, visiting over two hundred historic and heritage sites and countless museums, throughout Canada. Graham’s book draws on journal notes, conversations with locals, and research. Vast in its scope yet personal in its perspective, Five of Ages of Canada illuminates the country’s past in a riveting and original way, garnering deep appreciation and admiration for the people who were here first, and those who strove to achieve independent nationhood.
Immerse yourself in the captivating narrative of 'The Picard Dynasty,' an enthralling historical narrative that unfolds the rich tapestry of one of Oregon’s pioneering Metis families. Drawn from 'Beyond Blue Earth to the French Prairie Volume II', John d'Arc Lorenz III meticulously retraces their lineage all the way back to 1525, to Jean Picard’s life in the quaint commune of Sauvessanges in France. The narrative takes an audacious twist with the seventh generation, where André Picard Sr. and his wife, Marie Bravard, make the bold decision to wave goodbye to the only life they had ever known. Seduced by the promise and allure of the New World, they ventured onto a perilous journey across the Atlantic. Little did they know then that their daring voyage would pave the way for a saga that would intertwine with the very fabric of Oregon’s rich and colorful history. With a deft hand and an eye for detail, Lorenz artfully illustrates the grand odyssey of the Picard family. He documents the intricate mesh of historical events, each acting as a crucible, moulding and shaping the Picard lineage over time. Readers bear witness to André Picard’s remarkable journey, from a modest Hudson Bay Company postmaster to becoming one of Oregon’s first settlers, his life indelibly influencing the destiny of the frontier. Follow the intriguing accounts of Honoré Picard and Celeste Rochbrune as they carve their path through the rapidly evolving landscape of the French Prairie. Experience the resilient spirit of John Adolph Picard as he, along with his siblings, bravely reclaims their indigenous heritage against the backdrop of a society that had forgotten them. In a parallel narrative, Lorenz unveils the trials and tribulations of the Syilx Okanagan and Wallawalla tribes, their destiny profoundly intertwined with that of the Picard family. The narrative reaches a crescendo as it celebrates the life of Mable Picard, a pioneer in her own right. As one of Oregon’s earliest female entrepreneurs, her story is a testament to the relentless spirit of the pioneers, a beacon of inspiration for generations to come. ‘The Picard Dynasty’ seamlessly weaves together four distinct yet interconnected biographies, each recording significant milestones in the family’s evolution, mirroring the rapid development of Oregon itself. Masterfully crafted, this historical narrative serves as a treasure chest of fascinating insights for anyone entranced by Oregon’s dynamic history. 'The Picard Dynasty' is more than a book; it's a compelling journey through time, a riveting exploration of human resilience and tenacity, and an intimate portrait of the pioneers who dared to shape the destiny of a region. Lose yourself in its pages and be part of a story that is as thrilling as it is enlightening.
Immerse yourself in 'Beyond Blue Earth to the French Prairie, Volume II,' an odyssey traversing the frontiers of time and place, weaving tales of overlooked heroes and hidden narratives that embody the essence of America's heritage. John d'Arc Lorenz III resurrects forgotten figures, their stories pulsating with courage, tenacity, and a spirit of endurance, echoing down the corridors of time and resounding in our collective consciousness. Venture alongside the formidable Chief 'Yellow Bird' Piupiumaksmaks, his resolute gaze surveying the expanses of Wallawalla lands, his feet whispering tales of generations past with each stride across the vast prairies. Share in the steadfast resolve of Honoré Picard as he courageously stands against the ceaseless tide of frontier expansion, a bulwark defending his hearth and home. Experience the raw, unadulterated pulse of the wild American Frontier. Join the daring exploits of André Picard, Etienne Lucier, and Joseph Rocquebrune, their spirits intertwined with the untamed wilderness. Traverse the sprawling Columbia District alongside Rocquebrune, the air thick with anticipation as you partake in the relentless pursuit of valuable furs and hidden treasures. Feel the determination radiating from Lucier, a trailblazer of the Oregon Trail, the unyielding leader of Oregon's Provisional Government. Submerge into the intricate tapestry of Syilx Okanagan culture, each thread spun with reverence by the fearless André Picard. Follow the resilient steps of John Adolph Picard, leaving an indelible imprint that extends far beyond his St. Paul Blacksmith Shop. Embark on an adrenaline-infused adventure with Amédée Choquette as he faces a grizzly on the perilous Oregon Trail. Join Catherine and Teresa Farnan in their poignant journey, their hearts heavy with the echoes of their destitute homeland, yet filled with the hope of a new world. Stand beside the Kwakiutl princess, Josephete Noite, as she deftly straddles the precipice between tradition and transformation. Witness the defiance of the Wallawalla and Cayuse peoples, their spirit unyielding as they fiercely defend their ancestral lands from an onslaught of pioneers. Their fervor and devotion to their culture, their unquenchable thirst for justice, continue to shape the American landscape. 'Beyond Blue Earth to the French Prairie, Volume II' is not merely a book. It's a riveting chronicle of resilience, a testament to the unquenchable spirit of our ancestors, a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of courage, determination, and resilience. Each page pulsates with life, each character leaves a footprint on the sands of time, captivating the hearts of readers and painting a vivid portrait of the past. This book is a testament to the extraordinary grit and tenacity of the common men and women who, often unnoticed, laid the bedrock of our modern society. Masterfully curated by John d'Arc Lorenz III, these overlooked narratives are deftly interwoven into a vivid tableau of history, offering us a fresh perspective to value the depth and intricacy of the events that sculpted our present world. Each narrative contained within this volume brings with it a profound sense of humanity, an in-depth look at the struggles and victories of a time gone by, making 'Beyond Blue Earth to the French Prairie, Volume II' a priceless artifact in the annals of American literature. The book doesn't merely recount history; it immerses you in it, allowing you to walk alongside these forgotten heroes, experiencing their joys, fears, trials, and triumphs as if they were your own.
