British Columbia - Periods - First Contact

Simon Fraser

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Simon Fraser was a Scottish explorer and fur trader who explored and mapped much of the area now known as British Columbia, Canada in the late 1700s. In 1808, he became the first European to navigate the entire length of the Fraser River, which is now named after him. His expeditions helped to open up the interior of British Columbia to further exploration and settlement.

In 1808, Simon Fraser set out on an expedition to explore the Fraser River, which was then known by the local indigenous people, but not yet mapped by Europeans. He and his party of explorers traveled by canoe and on foot, navigating through rugged terrain and facing many challenges, including hostile indigenous tribes, treacherous rapids and waterfalls. Despite these difficulties, Fraser and his men were able to map the entire length of the river from its source in the Rocky Mountains to its mouth at the Pacific Ocean. The expedition helped to open up the interior of what is now British Columbia to further exploration and settlement. The Fraser River is now named after Simon Fraser.

Simon Fraser's relationship with the indigenous peoples of the area he explored is complex. While his expedition did involve some peaceful interactions with First Nations peoples, there were also instances of violence and conflict. Fraser and his men were often met with resistance from indigenous tribes they encountered, who were understandably wary of the newcomers and the potential impact they could have on their way of life. Fraser and his men also faced challenges with hostile tribes who had different languages and cultures.

On the other hand, Fraser also had some positive interactions with the indigenous people, and he relied on the help and guidance of local tribes to navigate the unfamiliar terrain. He also had a good relationship with the Nlaka'pamux and the Sto:lo people.

Simon Fraser was born in 1776 in the village of Mapletown, New York, to a Scottish father and an American mother. He was raised in Scotland and later returned to North America as a young man to work as a fur trader for the North West Company. In 1808, he led an expedition to explore the Fraser River in what is now British Columbia, Canada. His expedition was successful in mapping the entire length of the river and opened up the interior of the region to further exploration and settlement. Fraser went on to have a successful career as a fur trader and explorer, leading several more expeditions and rising through the ranks of the North West Company. He also served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada. Fraser retired from the fur trade in 1828 and later settled in what is now Ontario, Canada, where he died in 1869.

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Recommended Read: First Across the Continent by Barry Gough

Timeline

  • 1776: Simon Fraser is born in Mapletown, New York
  • 1792: Fraser begins working as a fur trader for the North West Company
  • 1808: Fraser leads an expedition to explore the Fraser River, becoming the first European to navigate its entire length
  • 1810s: Fraser leads several more expeditions and rises through the ranks of the North West Company
  • 1828: Fraser retires from the fur trade
  • 1869: Fraser dies in Ontario, Canada
  • During his lifetime, Fraser made significant contributions to the exploration and mapping of British Columbia and played an important role in the region's early history. His expeditions helped to open up the interior of the region to further exploration and settlement, and his journals provide valuable insights into the challenges and obstacles faced by explorers during this period.

Culture & Politics

Simon Fraser kept journals during his expeditions, including his 1808 journey to explore the Fraser River. These journals provide valuable insights into the challenges and obstacles he and his men faced during their journey, as well as their interactions with the indigenous peoples they encountered. They also include detailed descriptions of the terrain and natural features of the region, which helped to establish the first European map of the Fraser River. Fraser's journals are considered to be important historical documents, providing a first-hand account of the exploration and mapping of British Columbia in the late 1700s. They have been used by historians and researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the region's history and the experiences of the explorers and fur traders who opened it up to European settlement. Unfortunately, the original journals are not available to the public, they were lost over time and their whereabouts is unknown. However, some extracts were published in the British Columbia Historical Quarterly, and some other publications, which can be found in historical libraries and archives.

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Reference: Article by (Staff Historian), 2023

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