How we remember history is a reflection of the times in which we live. As we revisit historical events and people throughout time our perception changes about them. At the time of the Fraser Expedition, Simon Fraser and his men were relatively insignificant employees of the North West Company seeking to expand the Company’s trade on the periphery of their territory. Because the Fraser River did not provide the easily navigable route to the Pacific Ocean that he was seeking, Simon Fraser judged the expedition a failure. It is only with hindsight and the founding of the colony of British Columbia in 1858 and its eventual union with Canada in 1871 that the expedition came to be viewed as a significant event.

Simon Fraser and his crew members met a number of First Nations peoples on their journey. Until recently, little emphasis was placed on First Nations versions of historical events in which they were directly involved. The role of First Nations women who assisted Fraser and others during the fur trade was also overlooked. Without the aid of the First Nations people and First Nations women, expeditions like Fraser’s would have been much more difficult, if not an absolute failure. It is important that the accounts of all people involved in particular events be recorded. This is the only way that we can move closer to a more balanced and accurate representation of history.

Click here for more information on the changing assessment of the Fraser Expedition.

TRY THIS Create a collage that you think best represents the fur trade. There are lots of things that you can do so use your imagination.