TheRupert’s Land Newsletter The Centre for Rupert’s Land Studies at The University of Winnipeg ISSN 1205-9528 Nos. 28-29 , Spring/Fall 2010 A Message to our Readers Welcome to this double edition of the Rupert’s Land Newsletter; there was no spring issue owing to our intense In this Issue… preparations for the 2010 Colloquium. Please check your mailing •Archives and Museum label for your CRLS membership status; are you current for 2010? News: The Centre for Rupert’s Land Studies has had an eventful Hudson’s Bay Company Archives year. The latest biennial Rupert’s Land Colloquium, held in May 2010 at the University of Winnipeg, was especially successful. The Manitoba Museum It drew close to 150 registrants and more than 70 presenters, •A Farewell and more than ever before. Collected Colloquium Papers are now Invitation from available on CD for both the 2010 gathering (40 papers); and Jennifer Brown for the 2008 Colloquium, held at Rocky Mountain House, •The Rupert’s Land Alberta. Our former Harington Fellows Mallory Richard, Anne Colloquium 2010: Lindsay, and Jennifer Ching, were instrumental in the careful A Reflection editing and formatting of the 2008 papers. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to David Malaher for his diligence in •Exhibit Review: Profit soliciting and gathering the 2010 papers, and especially to Anne and Ambition: The Lindsay and Jennifer Ching for their hard work in applying their Canadian Fur Trade, advanced IT skills to the challenges of layout and formatting. 1779-1821 They were crucial to the success of the project—producing a •Upcoming Conferences digital publication that may be read, searched, and/or attractively and Announcements printed for reading enjoyment. The Proceedings are available on CD. They are member priced at $15 (that includes the cost of •New in Print shipping). Please see the book order form for more details.
Some Harington Fellow news: In November, former Fellow Mallory Richard defended her MA thesis, “‘Indianness’ and the Fur Trade: Representations of Aboriginal People in Two Canadian Museums,” with distinction. She is now a research intern at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.
Anne Lindsay is presently working on her MA thesis in the Archival Studies Program, part of our Joint MA Program in History. Last summer, she worked as an intern with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, helping them to establish their archival procedures and collections. They have asked her back to continue that important work, and so in the New Year, her time with the Centre will be considerably reduced, much to our
continued on page 2 Director’s Message continued from page 1 regret, as we have all hugely Following my appointment For economic and logistical appreciated her invaluable as Director of the Centre by reasons, we have decided to contributions. However, this Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President hold the 2012 Colloquium in is an opportunity not to be and Vice Chancellor of the Winnipeg once more, it being missed. University of Winnipeg, at the also the 200th anniversary of 2010 Colloquium banquet, I the founding of the Red River Unfortunately we have began my tenure as the new Settlement. We are looking no new Harington Fellow director. During this time of at mid-June dates, but would to announce. In June, our transition, as Dr. Brown will appreciate any inputs about selection committee chose a stay on as a member of the plausible dates, date conflicts fine candidate who accepted Advisory Council I am taking to avoid, etc. We will announce with enthusiasm. Then in the advantage of her experience a decision as soon as possible. early fall, she learned that and spending this year as her job commitments would “Director-in-Training,” so This past October, not be adjusted to allow her to speak. Over this time, I a wonderful new book, to carry on the course work hope to settle into this new Gathering Places: Aboriginal and research stipulated in the responsibility and carry on in and Fur Trade Histories was award, and she was obliged the tradition of excellence Dr. launched at the Ethnohistory to withdraw. We are very Brown has established. Conference in Ottawa; a fortunate that Jennifer Ching tribute to Jennifer Brown’s remains a pillar of support in With Jennifer Brown’s exceptional career and the office, working two days retirement from the university mentorship. Please see the a week; we look forward to next year, Canada Research books section later in this having her three days a week Chair funding for Centre issue for more details. Jennifer beginning in January. assistance, and regretfully Brown and Susan Gray have for Dr. Susan Gray’s CRC also produced two excellent This issue marks a Research Associate position, volumes centred around the milestone in the history of the will come to an end. We continued on page 3 Centre as the Centre’s long time shall maintain our space, The Centre for Director, Jennifer S.H. Brown, facilities, and activities, but our Rupert’s Land Studies steps down in preparation capacities for staffing and the for her retirement from the processing of research requests, 5CM12 Centennial Hall (Library) University of Winnipeg. for clerical work, and for the The University of Winnipeg During her tenure as Director, maintenance of the CRLS 515 Portage Avenue the Centre has seen many website and the organizing Winnipeg, MB changes, bringing it to the of colloquiums will be much Canada R3B 2E9 Centre of Excellence it is today. at risk. This fact makes your Director: Roland Bohr As the new director, I hope to memberships and donations all Office Assistant: Anne Lindsay continue the high standards the the more important; please also Harington Fellow Centre has become known for see Jennifer Brown’s following Tel./Voice Mail: 204-786-9003 under her direction. message on this point. e-mail: [email protected] http://uwwebpro.uwinnipeg.ca/academic/ ic/rupert/index.html
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Berens River region and the other have been invaluable. her sabbatical. Throughout lives and work of Chief Jacob We first met when I came this time, I have valued and Berens and anthropologist A. to Winnipeg as her student benefited from Jennifer’s help Irving Hallowell. Information in 1999. Over the years we and guidance, her insights, on these is also available in the have worked together at the generosity, and support. In books section. Centre, first when I was named taking on the responsibilities the 2001 Harington Fellow, of the Director of the Centre, In closing, and on a and later on, in 2003, with I am keenly aware of the personal note, I would like the Louis Bird, “Our Voices” footsteps in which I will be to take this opportunity to project. We became colleagues following in. thank Jennifer Brown for her in the history department when dedication to the Centre, and I joined the faculty full-time With best wishes for the her confidence in me. Her in 2005 and were again able coming holidays and the New scholarship, her mentorship, to work closely together at the Year. and her friendship over the Centre in 2007, when I served years we have known each as Acting Director during Roland Bohr
A Farewell and an Invitation Jennifer S.H. Brown
Notice that the Director’s he began teaching Aboriginal Society documentary series, Message you have just read and Canadian history at the which we co-publish with is under a new name! Please University of Winnipeg. McGill-Queen’s University give a warm welcome to my He has pursued innovative Press. Please see the enclosed colleague, Professor Roland research with Louis Bird and MQUP flyer, announcing our Bohr, Department of History, other Aboriginal teachers, outstanding new volume, University of Winnipeg, who and his courses, particularly edited by John S. Long: Treaty was appointed last summer in the area of Aboriginal No. 9: Making the Agreement as the Director of the Centre material culture, are adding to Share the Land in Far for Rupert’s Land Studies, new dimensions to our Northern Ontario in 1905. to assure a smooth transition understandings of the history The flyer offers our current as I approach retirement in of the Hudson Bay watershed. members a special discount the summer of 2011. Roland on this and other books in the is known to many of you We are working to series, as well as on MQUP through his involvement assure continuity and means books of related interest, so with the Centre and our of support for the Centre please do take advantage of it. activities. Coming from and its work as we look Germany to Manitoba for his ahead. While Roland takes Regarding “current doctoral studies, he was a on the directorship, I will members”: I want to CRLS Harington Fellow. On continue as General Editor emphasize, as outgoing completing his dissertation, of the Rupert’s Land Record continued on page 4
3 A Farewell and an Invitation continued from page 3 director, that memberships are Associate, and have covered possible, so we can work and donations are essential three days a week of our together to assure sufficient pillars of support for the assistants’ salaries, will no funds for the Centre for Centre; we cannot survive longer be available; nor will this transition year and for without them. As preparations the funds that have helped the future. Depending on for the Colloquium of May cover office supplies and responses, we could then set a 2010 consumed our spring, equipment and other expenses. goal and invite others to help you did not receive a spring Also, while the University now us reach it. These funds would Newsletter; this is a double allows the Director to receive be kept available in a current issue. So we missed the chance some release from teaching account (unless we get a major to solicit and remind you about if his department approves, gift surprise), as endowments your 2010 renewals. Please the Centre must pay for that yield such low returns these renew now, and at the same release. (And from long days. time, renew for 2011, while experience, I know such relief it comes to mind! Our dues is essential!) This all means I have greatly enjoyed and have not gone up for several that donations become more learned from being the director years; at $25 per year, $50 will critical than ever, along with of the Centre for the last 15 cover these two years and will support from memberships and years. I am most grateful for be deeply appreciated. See from the surpluses our recent all the support and friendship the membership form in this Colloquiums have generated. received, and look forward to Newsletter (along with the staying in touch. The Centre order info for the Papers of the I therefore am putting is a special place that holds 2008 and 2010 Colloquiums, forward an invitation and an a unique niche in northern now available). opportunity. Wilson Brown Indigenous and fur trade and I are pledging a gift of studies. With your help, it will After my Canada Research some substance to the Centre long continue and flourish. Chair ends in May of 2011, the for 2011. If you would like funds that have supported Dr. to join us, please get in touch Jennifer S.H. Brown Susan Gray as CRC Research with me directly, as soon as
Announcements Now Available! It is with great pleasure that Scott and Susan Stephen are Papers of the Rupert’s Land the Centre for Rupert’s Land thrilled to welcome Timothy Colloquium 2008 AND 2010 Studies announces the arrival Laurence Brown Stephen, who CDs are member-priced at of two new members! was born November 29, 2010. $15 each, or $25 for both years. Tyson Alexander was born Congratulations to both (Non-members pay $20 March 19, 2010 in Ontario and families! for each) was placed with Heidi Bohaker See the book form for and Claude Morin on the 31st ordering and shipping of March. information.
4 News from The Hudson’s Bay Company Archives Maureen Dolyniuk Manager, Hudson’s Bay Company Archives
Mapping Manitoba Exhibit settlements and defined the Website boundaries of this province. If you were not able to take in Several enhancements the exhibit in May, it is not too were made to the Archives of late. The exhibit will be open Manitoba website over the past until at least October 2011 and few months. These include can be visited any time during improved searching options our normal business hours. between the relational databases that make up the Keystone Canadian Museum of online database system, Civilization extends providing a more seamless exhibition on the North West approach for persons searching Company to February 2011 for information. The capacity to The HBCA and the save searches and forward them Archives of Manitoba (AM) In the last newsletter by email, print or download the were very pleased to host two we reported that HBCA saved search has been added. of the Rupert’s Land had loaned to the Canadian Additionally, the Keystone Colloquium sessions last May. Museum of Civilization online database is soon to be Hopefully some of you who (CMC) in Hull several iconic searchable through Google. attended these sessions had a records for its exhibition: The archives also launched a chance to take in our new Profit and Ambition: The new Rearview Manitoba web exhibit in the foyer of the Canadian Fur Trade 1779- exhibit highlighting the journal Manitoba Archives Building. 1821. The exhibit opened and scrapbook of Gertrude The exhibit showcases 11 September 2009 and Perrin who travelled as a tourist reproductions of some of the was originally scheduled to on board the HBC supply ship, rare maps held by the HBCA close in September 2010 but Nascopie in 1936: http://www. and AM. The exhibit has now being extended to gov.mb.ca/rearview/perrin/ demonstrates how maps have February 2011. More than index.html. played a central role in creating 36,000 visitors toured the a visual representation of the exhibit in the first six months Weekend Film Series province through the course of of its opening (September highlights the Hudson’s Bay its history. From the 1709 2009-March 2010). A Company’s impact on the Samuel Thornton map, Hudson travelling version of the Canadian North Bay and Straits, to the 1873 exhibit is planned following map of the ‘Postage Stamp the close of this venue. For “In the Shadow of the Province,’ cartographers, further updates visit the Company”, a weekend explorers, surveyors and many CMC website: http://www. film series presented by the other individuals have created civilization.ca/cmc/whats-on/ Winnipeg Film Group February maps that described event-detail&EventId=307. 5-7, 2010 at Winnipeg’s transportation routes, planned continued on page 6
5 Hudson’s Bay Company Archives continued from page 5 Cinematheque theatre and to provide an opportunity Contact Information explored the Hudson’s Bay to explore the compelling Company’s impact in the stories they document. Due Maureen Dolyniuk, Hudson’s Canadian north over three- to the popularity of this event, Bay Company Archives, plus centuries. The series further screenings are being Archives of Manitoba, was built around original considered. 130-200 Vaughan St., archival film footage produced Winnipeg MB R3C 1T5 by HBC during the early Hours HBCA general - telephone: part of the 20th century and (204) 945-4949, fax: 948-3236, still photographs some of Research Room hours are e-mail: [email protected] which were incorporated into Monday to Friday, 9:00- Maureen’s direct telephone modern documentary films. 16:00 throughout the year. We and e-mail: (204) 945-2620, The screenings attracted filled are closed for inventory for [email protected] to capacity audiences over one week, the first full week in the course of the weekend. September after Labour Day. This even demonstrated the Researchers traveling from potential for use of film and out of town are encouraged to photographic archives for check with the Archives before entertainment, as an art form planning a visit.
News from The Manitoba Museum Katherine Pettipas Curator New Exhibit at The Manitoba Adventures of the Frontier known. His documentation of Museum features Highlights Artist: The Paul Kane peoples and places located in from the Paul Kane Artifact Collection is an exhibit the “Old Northwest” is more Collection featured in The Manitoba familiar to academics and Museum’s Discovery Room art specialists. This Toronto- The principal object in my until April 10, 2011. Artifacts based artist produced over 600 undertaking was to sketch from The Manitoba Museum’s sketches during his travels pictures of the principal chiefs, collection are featured along around the Great Lakes (1845) and their original costumes, with reproductions of images and throughout the Hudson’s to illustrate their manners and from art work produced by Bay Company’s trading empire customs, and to represent the Kane. (1846-48). scenery of an almost unknown country. The remarkable legacy of Working from his field Paul Kane, Wanderings of an Paul Kane, artist/adventurer sketches and artifact reference Artist among the Indians of and a founding father of collection, Kane completed 100 North America. London,1859. Canadian art, is not generally oil paintings by 1856. While continued on page 7
6 The Manitoba Museum continued from page 6 romanticized, these images neckpiece (Grasslands development as an artist, his still influence our perceptions Gallery), a pipe, and shell relationship with the Hudson’s of Aboriginal cultures. He pendants were gifts from Bay Company, his corporate published his adventures as prominent headmen. Kane patron; and with George Allan, Wanderings of an Artist among bartered for many objects with his private patron. the Indians of North America European trade goods. He in 1859. I would like to acknowledge the In 1941, over 80 generous assistance of Kane’s artifacts of the Royal Ontario were donated to The Museum and, Manitoba Museum especially Curator by Mrs. Jocelyn Kenneth Lister (Ralph) Baker, who participated granddaughter of with me in an George W. Allan, inter-institutional the artist’s Toronto exchange of patron. Kane materials for depicted some of my exhibit and these objects in his future publication. paintings. Today, Kenneth’s book on these reference Paul Kane should “tools” are unique records also purchased items such as be published by year’s end. of mid-nineteenth century a pre-ordered northern Aleut Further details on the Kane Indigenous lifeways. gut skin hat and parka from the collection at The Manitoba Hudson’s Bay Company. Museum is being prepared for Unfortunately, Kane publication in a future issue did not document most of The exhibit presents an of the American Indian Art his collecting activities. overview of several facets Magazine. An Assiniboine bear-claw of Kane’s life including his Conference Announcements Anishinaabewin Niizh Culture Movements, Critical Moments February 25-26, 2011 at the Radisson in Sudbury, Ontario Anishinaabewin: Modes of Knowledge, Ways of Life is a multidisciplinary culture conference presented by the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in February 2011 concerning issues of Anishinaabe arts, language, scholarship, spirituality and culture. Open to all! Supported by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and by United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnis.
**Please note the deadline for early bird registration is January 21 2011** For full conference details and preview of the program you can visit www.ojibweculture.ca 7 Jennifer Brown - An Appreciation Dr. Harry Duckworth
For many years I have research program in the important factor in seeing these admired Jennifer Brown. As history of natives and fur valuable volumes through to the prospect of her retirement traders in western Canada. completion. as Director of the Centre for She was well placed and well Rupert’s Land Studies looms qualified to make full use The activities of the Centre before us, it’s a pleasure to be of the opportunities that the with the highest profile, during able to write down some of my Centre afforded. Jennifer’s tenure as Director, thoughts. have been the Colloquia, Jennifer continued held every second year. The Centre for Rupert’s the Centre’s publications Each Colloquium attracts Land Studies at the University program, at first with new participants, but for of Winnipeg was begun in the occasional monographs, those who attend regularly, early 1980s, with Tim Ball as but soon hit on the idea of it’s a recurrent pleasure to founding Director. Professor a documentary series, in reunite, meet and socialize, Ball was a geographer, a which the emphasis was on and exchange formal and man of wide interests and edited versions of original informal accounts of our latest an entertaining lecturer. He manuscripts illustrating enthusiasms. The Colloquia saw the importance of the aspects of the history of have been in interesting places Hudson’s Bay Company Rupert’s Land. To ensure – Whitehorse, Fort Vancouver, Archives in Winnipeg, and felt that the publications were of Oxford, Norway House, that a Centre would encourage high quality and respected, Kenora, and Rocky Mountain the use of that unique resource she negotiated co-publication House spring to mind – and by those interested in the agreements with academic Jennifer has always been able history of western Canada. publishers, especially the to identify a local organizing For several years, the Centre McGill-Queen’s University committee that provides a was a splendid outlet for Press. The program has led comfortable meeting location Tim Ball’s energies, and to authoritative editions of and an entertaining mix of among other things he began several fur trade journals, extracurricular events. An a publication program, and notably George Nelson’s unusual feature of the Rupert’s devised the Centre’s biennial Wisconsin journals (edited Land Colloquia has always Colloquia that we have all by Laura Peers and Theresa been how welcoming and come to enjoy so much. Schenck) and the North West inclusive the Colloquia are to Company’s journals from those who wish to present their When Tim Ball left the the Mackenzie River District work: seasoned professional University, Jennifer Brown, (Lloyd Keith’s “North of scholars, beginning graduate a recent arrival in the History Athabasca”). More volumes students, and a variety of Department, took over as in the documentary series diligent amateurs all find Director of the Centre. are currently in the pipeline. places on the program. I am Jennifer was a very different Jennifer’s sympathetic but certain that the encouraging type, an historian with a well- persistent encouragement and supportive atmosphere of focused and sophisticated of her editors has been an the Rupert’s Land Colloquia
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8 An Appreciation continued from page 8 owes much to Jennifer Brown’s students or former students of encouraging others -- qualities deliberate policy, and to her hers, whose affection for her that Jennifer brings to every personal approach to the world. does not fade. Through her task or relationship. She undergraduate and graduate and her husband, Wilson, are This brings me to my teaching, and her mentoring unfailingly hospitable and final point. Anyone who has of the Centre’s Harington generous; Wilson, working spent much time interacting Fellows, Jennifer has instilled usually behind the scenes, has with the Centre for Rupert’s in many developing scholars a more than earned the Centre’s Land Studies is well aware of sense that they are becoming gratitude for the many things the vibrant circle of Jennifer a part of a significant he has done for it. All in all, Brown’s friends. Some made community. From her they the fifteen years that Jennifer her acquaintance through have learned a respect for Brown has served as Director the Colloquia, or through history, of course. But her of the Centre for Rupert’s Land a visit to Winnipeg where example has also shown them Studies, have been for all those Jennifer helped to facilitate the value of high personal who know her a kind of golden their research, but most are integrity, and the importance of age.
The Rupert’s Land Colloquium 2010: A Reflection Patricia Harms, Brandon University The Rupert’s Land A Irving Hallowell, is an Communities and Stories 2010 Colloquium marked a invaluable historical document from Berens River.” Here, we significant turning point for and cultural artifact, recording brought together historically the Centre and its members. conversations about and antagonistic voices of The 2010 meeting was the last between two world views. anthropologists, historians, and Colloquium under Jennifer Berens and Hallowell were missionaries interacting with Brown’s directorship. Her unlikely allies, building bridges the Anishinaabeg. The panel leadership has been valued by of communication within combined academic expertise all involved with the Centre a landscape dominated by and personal lived experiences; and she has broken new ground conflict and misunderstanding and wise elders and childhood in approaches to Aboriginal between Aboriginal people and memories. Charles Bishop, research. Her publication, outsiders. whose contributions to our with Susan Elaine Gray, of knowledge of the Ojibwe in Memories, Myths and Dreams Brown’s urging that all northwestern Ontario and of an Ojibwe Leader(2009) voices be heard and integrated eastern Manitoba have been so is an excellent example. This in doing Aboriginal history valuable, served as chairperson book, which highlights the was strongly in evidence and mentor. Susan Elaine Gray collaboration of Chief William in our 2010 Colloquium gave voice to stories of women Berens and anthropologist panel, “Transitions: Ojibwe in story and life, illustrating
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the power and complexity missionary in Pauingassi, policy that Neufeld fought of Ojibwe gender roles. Henry Neufeld arrived there against. Perhaps most significantly, in 1955 at the invitation of Gray illustrated how these elders, to establish a school The panel brought stories serve to counterbalance and mission in the community. forward aboriginal stories and both past and contemporary Fluent in Anishinaabemowin, encounters recorded through perceptions of powerless and Neufeld possesses a deep some unusual collaborations invisible aboriginal women. knowledge of the community’s among academic historians, Patricia Harms integrated history and culture, gleaned anthropologists and her childhood memories of from his long friendships with missionaries. Stories and the fur trade at the Ojibwe many elders who have now memories came alive through community of Pauingassi with passed on. His talk focused talk, music, and photographs. archival research in Hudson’s on his struggle to educate We generated as many new Bay Company records to children in the Anishinaabe questions as conclusions, demonstrate the lasting social language, challenging Indian illustrating the need for more and political significance of the Affairs policy of English-only such conversations. My fur trade into the contemporary instruction. As he accurately personal thanks to Jennifer period in the region. pointed out, we now see, Brown for her assistance in some fifty years later, that bringing this panel together, Henry Neufeld and his son the Canadian government with hopes for many Gerald Neufeld offered unique is spending large sums to future collaborations and contributions to the discussion. restore aboriginal languages conversations. A long-time resident and lost through the monolingual
A New Look for David Thompson’s “Map of the North-West Territory” David Malaher Would you like to have a as “Map of the North-West the small world of historic map that does not crease or Territory of the Province of maps was made during the wrinkle, won’t tear, and lies flat Canada” past summer while working on the table when you unroll it? on research and analysis of The bigger the map, the better What’s the secret about Thompson’s map. Attendees it sounds. I now have two of such a well behaved map? at the Map Soirée during the them, one is 3 x 4 feet and the Vinyl! The map material Colloquium will recall seeing other is 4 x 6 ½ feet – both is thin vinyl “cloth” of the a near-full scale copy of a are modern copies of David same general type used map, but that one was taped Thompson’s famous map at for commercial signs and together from ten paper sheets. the Archives of Ontario known canopies. This discovery in Discovery of the new vinyl continued on page 11
10 A New Look continued from page 10 map occurred just three weeks scanned or photographed file same map that Andy Korsos later in Atikokan, ON, when is stored on the sign printing showed and described to us at Don Meany unexpectedly machine and, with the right the Map Soirée in May. The presented me with the 3 x 4 settings of speed and coloured original map of this version is foot version mentioned above. ink control, a beautiful, strong, in very good condition at the I was totally surprised by but compliant map comes out National Archives in the UK both the gift and the material several (hours) minutes later. known as “A Map of North properties America from 84 Degrees West to the Don and son Pacific Ocean” FO Spencer run the XY 925/4622. Paddle Company manufacturing a Research by variety of paddles Andy continues for canoe and to bring out new kayak enthusiasts information all over the world. and has opened An irrepressible the opportunity innovator, Don to investigate has taken his the latest vinyl paddle talents and printing material. enthusiasm for Rosemary Malaher & Don Meany in Atikokan, ON Andy’s group of voyageur history June 11, 2010, with vinyl cloth printing of David participants has into demonstrating Thompson’s “Map of the North-West Territory expanded since the that old maps can of the Province of Canada” Archives of Ontario, Colloquium from have a new life AO 1541, circa 1816 three to five. The when printed on two vinyl copies vinyl. of the 1816 map have been shown With Don’s nudge The next objective is to audiences over the summer into modern materials and to make a seamless digital in presentations about David printing processes, a second, file of the only other known Thompson and his exploits as larger vinyl copy was made Thompson map of the entire a surveyor in the fur trade and later in the summer. The west, believed to be from boundary commission. They aim is to move the size up around 1826, that contains travel really well! to Thompson’s original several updates based on new dimensions of nearly 8 ft. x 12 information he generated Longer term ambitions are ft. The vinyl sheet is available while serving as Astronomer to have more details available in this width, and larger, for the British on the for the next Rupert’s Land but the number of printing international boundary survey Colloquium, in 2012, and machines at that size is limited. from 1816 to 1826. This is the possibly to produce a full The process is all digital. A size map of the 1826 version.
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With its updated information, be possible to understand its displayed at the North West the NA-UK map shows the total content. Andy is pushing Company, in Winnipeg, where remarkable, wide ranging the technology needed to it could be viewed by many geographic details known to create high accuracy digital historians and people interested Thompson as early as 1825. files needed to print such a in how the west was mapped. Without the ability to see the large map. It may be possible map in its full size it might not that a full scale copy can be
Exhibit Review: Profit and Ambition: The Canadian Fur Trade, 1779-1821, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa, ON, 11 September 2009 to 6 February 2011, curated by David A. Morrison, lead designer Stewart Bailey, INTUDESIGN. http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/exhibitions/cmc/profit/profitambitione.shtml
Reviewed by Paul Thistle Shooting the Rapids, the overcome the difficult logistics A poignant and instructive iconic painting by Frances presented by the 7,000 interpretative walking play Anne Hopkins illustrating a kilometre return trip supply line A Trick of Truth by Steven Montréal canoe plunging down of the NWC between Montreal Gin winds its way through the a standing wave en route to and Lake Athabaska–eventually exhibition. It adds important Fort William, launches visitors extended across the entire insights into the lives of the into the Canadian Museum continent. men and women of the fur of Civilization’s (CMC) trade and should not be missed exhibition Profit and Ambition. The multi-ethnic “vertical as part of the experience. Centred around a replica of the mosaic” of the NWC is 10-metre-long 5 tonne capacity clearly portrayed using formal Somewhat surprisingly, Montréal canoe or canot du portraits of Simon McTavish, the exhibition contains a maître, the exhibition focusses Alexander Mackenzie, and section on the rival Hudson’s on the short but significant William Simon McGillivray. Bay Company (HBC). This is 40 year history of the North These counterpoint artifacts highlighted by the unknown West Company (NWC). The associated with the French artist’s late 1700s painted panel iconic introductory image, two Canadian voyageurs, Métis from York Factory illustrating other famous Hopkins original buffalo hunters, Aboriginal fur the relatively comfortable and oil paintings of voyageur producers, and country wives comparatively static existence life, canoes, the maps, other who became the critical social of the HBC. graphics, and floor plan all brokers for the NWC. emphasise the herculean Of course, among the 250 human effort required to artifacts and works of art are a
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12 Profit and Ambition continued from page 12 requisite number of fur trade hunting, . . .” Sadly, this items, but a surprising number overlooks long-accepted are attributed to the HBC. This academic work to the is rather disappointing, given contrary (Given 1995; Ray the prevalence of exhibitions 1974, 79 passim). of HBC materials already on view across Western To accompany the Canada and the existence of exhibition, curator David collections of NWC artifacts, A. Morrison also has for example those resulting written a particularly from underwater archaeology handsome 64-page book at Winnipeg River rapids NWC Profit & Ambition: The canoe upset sites (Lockery, North West Company 1978). and the Fur Trade, 1779- 1821 (Ottawa: Canadian fishing” (p. 37). This statement Another opportunity Museum of Civilization, depends on a debatable over- missed by the exhibition is a 2009, $19.95). It is strikingly generalisation–especially for more nuanced interpretation designed using sharp high the time period 1779-1821 concerning Native peoples’ use quality images of the art and covered (cf. Thistle 1993, 127- of/dependence on European artifacts in the exhibition. Even 9). trade goods. Label copy refers many of the historic maps can to trade that had “by 1759, . . . be read without a hand lens. The book also provides a radically altered Native life in Obviously popular, the English welcome reminder about the the region.” Striking artifacts edition of the book was sold McGill University Digital on display, however, actually out on the day this reviewer Collections Programme contradict this assertion. visited the exhibition. web site, In Pursuit of The obvious syncretism that Adventure: The Fur Trade in combines a metal trade knife The book does present Canada and the North West with Native materials and a good summary of the Company. This site presents motifs in porcupine quills (not “vertical mosaic” human images of the original NWC glass trade beads) on the knife resources structure of the manuscript pages combined sheath and pouch displayed NWC. However, in the case of with searchable full-text with it demonstrates more Aboriginal trappers, it asserts transcriptions and other “accommodation” than “radical that the trade “had a significant valuable resources at http:// change.” effect on local economies, as digital.library.mcgill.ca/nwc/ . people now spent much of the A similar label associated winter (when furs were prime) Although the book with a trade musket states: pursuing beaver and other fur- and exhibition have minor “For Aboriginal peoples, guns bearing animals, to the neglect shortcomings, both are well quickly replaced the bow and of traditional activities such worth inspection. CMC has arrow for most methods of as subsistence hunting and extended the exhibition run
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13 Profit and Ambition continued from page 13 until early February 2011. A Lockery, Andrew R. 1978. Fast water Thistle, Paul C. 1993. Dependence travelling exhibition also is in archaeology in the Winnipeg River, and Control: Indian-European Trade Relations in the Post-Kelsey Era. In the works. Manitoba, Canada : A methodology for the location mapping and recovery Three hundred prairie years: Henry of artefacts. International Journal of Kelsey’s “inland country of good References Nautical Archaeology 7(4): 321-332. report,” ed. Henry Epp. Regina: Canadian Plains Research Centre, Given, Brian J. 1995. A most Ray, Arthur J. 1974. Indians in the fur University of Regina. pernicious thing: Gun trading and trade: Their roles as hunters, trappers Native warfare in the early contact and middlemen in the lands southwest period. Ottawa: Carleton University of Hudson Bay, 1660-1870. Toronto: Press. University of Toronto Press.
HEARNE wins four awards at the Trebas International Student Film Festival
Written, produced, of Hearne’s mission are directed by Virginia Barter, revealed as Lapérouse reads HEARNE is the story of the the journals. The two men 18th century English explorer become friends. Lapérouse Samuel Hearne and the French rises above the politics attack on Fort Prince of Wales of the day and agrees to (Churchill) and York Factory let Hearne go, under the on the shores of Hudson condition that he return to Bay in 1782. Against the England and have his journals backdrop of the American published. It is a story of Revolution, the story is told honour and friendship. But from the perspective of as Lapérouse concludes, their the French Admiral, Jean greatest challenges are yet to François de Galaup, comte come. No one dies as a result de Lapérouse, who destroys of battle, but thousands would the English fur trading posts die as a consequence. Pictures and the film’s and takes Samuel Hearne Barter’s short film won trailer are available on prisoner. In the course of four awards at the Trebas Virginia’s website, http://web. the campaign, Lapérouse International Student Film me.com/virginia_barter discovers Hearne’s incredible Festival, held in September, Any comments and feedback including Best Picture; Best journals of his two-year are welcomed and appreciated. expedition from Hudson Bay Music; Best Sound Design, and Best Actor to Stephen to the Arctic coast (1770- Cullen who played Samuel 1772). The intriguing Hearne. and immense challenges
14 Remembrance Marker Erected for Isaac Batt and his Cree Country Wife Cliff Spence, Descendant of Isaac Batt Photography by Peter Melnycky In the early afternoon possible, a moving prayer by a young female descendant, Sunday, September 19, 2010 before the unveiling, and two Amber Gordon. a small group of descendants beautiful violin pieces played Following the unveiling, met and unveiled a small the group moved to the marker at Pikes Peak, clubhouse of Silver Lake Saskatchewan, which Golf Course for coffee is a high hill located and refreshments and a approximate 20 miles review of the key historical northwest of Maidstone, information relating to Saskatchewan. The marker Isaac and his wife. Some was placed to honour the of those in attendance memory of Isaac Batt, a also visited the site of the Hudson’s Bay Company marker on the south bank trader for approximately of the North Saskatchewan 35 years, who was killed River which overlooks on the site of Pikes Peak and explains the historical by Indians. The memory significance of Pine Island, of his Cree country wife is where several forts and also honoured - she may trading posts including have been killed at the Manchester House of the same time. HBC were located during The short program included the latter part of the 1700’s. a brief explanation of the Violin Soloist Amber Gordon playing in Isaac Batt, accompanied by significance of the site of front of the Isaac Batt Marker others, had departed from Pikes Peak, introductions Manchester House on the of key local people who made hunting trip which ultimately the installation of the marker led to his death.
New in Print “Letters from the Fort William Jesuit Mission 1848-1862” and “Fort William Jesuit Mission House Diary”: Translated by Shelley Pearen and Fr. Bill Lonc A book launch was held at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, September 9, 2010 for Shelley Pearen and Fr. Bill Lonc and their latest two books in their series regarding Manitoulin Anishinaabe history from the perspective of the Jesuit missionaries who lived with and proselytized the Anishinabeg. At the launch, Fr. Lonc delivered a biographical presentation about the Jesuits from that era. Regrettably, Mrs. Pearen could not attend. She did, however, prepare a presentation detailing the information gleaned from the letters regarding the Robinson Treaties. Alan Corbiere also delivered a brief presentation on the Robinson Huron Treaty.
Copies of the series can be purchased by contacting Fr. Bill Lonc at [email protected].
15 New in Print A. Irving Hallowell, edited with introductions by Jennifer S.H. Brown and Susan Elaine Gray: Contributions to Ojibwe Studies Essays, 1934-1972 From 1930 to 1940, A. Irving Hallowell’s writings focusing Hallowell, a professor of on the Berens River Ojibwes. anthropology at the University This collection is the first time of Pennsylvania, made repeated that the majority of Hallowell’s summer fieldwork visits to otherwise widely dispersed Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ojibwe essays have been and to the Ojibwe community gathered into a single volume, of Berens River on its east thus providing a focused, in- side. He traveled up that river depth view of his contributions several times to other Ojibwe to our knowledge and communities as well, under the understanding of a vital North guidance of William Berens, American aboriginal people. the treaty chief at Berens This volume also contributes to River from 1917 to 1947 and the history of North American eventually Hallowell’s closest anthropology, since Hallowell’s collaborator. Contributions approaches to and analyses of For more information, see to Ojibwe Studies, edited and his findings shed light on his University of Nebraska Press with introductions by Jennifer role in the shifting intellectual http://www.nebraskapress.unl. S. H. Brown and Susan Elaine currents in anthropology over edu Gray, presents twenty-eight of four decades.
Ilya Vinkovetsky: Russian America, An Overseas Colony of a Continental Empire 1804-1867
Russian America was Company, the colony was of Russia, the history of effectively transformed from governed on different terms colonialism, and the history of a remote extension of Russia’s from the rest of the empire, contact between native peoples Siberian frontier penetrated a hybrid of elements carried and Europeans on the American mainly by Siberianized over from Siberia and those frontier, this work is invaluable Russians into an ostensibly imported from rival colonial for understanding the history modern overseas colony systems. This approach was of Alaska before its sale to the operated by Europeanized particularly evident in Russian United States. Russians. This book examines strategies to convert the Forthcoming from Oxford how Russians conceived indigenous peoples of Russian University Press, April 2011. and practiced the colonial America into loyal subjects For more information, rule that resulted from this of the Russian Empire. The please see www.oup.com/us transformation. Under the first comprehensive history rule of the Russian-American bringing together the history
Be sure to check the insert in this newsletter for special offers for Rupert’s Land members on select McGill-Queen’s University Press volumes
16 New in Print piko kîkway ê-nakacihtât: kêkêk otâcimowina ê-nêhiyawastêki mitoni ê-âh-itwêt mâna Cecilia Masuskapoe, itasinahamiyiwa ôhi nîso, H.C. Wolfart êkwa Freda Ahenakew Algonquian and Iroquoian Linguistics, Memoir 21 2010 This book is the first collection historical accounts preserved Pp. vi, 178, illustrated; of authentic Cree prose to in this book were recorded ISBN 978-0-921064-21-3 be published entirely in the between 1988 and 1996. In $30 [Price includes carriage; original language, in Plains presenting the text unaltered, not subject to GST/PST; no Cree. The title – which can in a form that reflects the discounts or returns; for be translated into English viva voce performance as orders outside of Canada the as: There’s nothing she can’t closely as print permits, the price is to be read as US$ do:The Reminiscences of editors respect the speaker’s or Euro; cheques payable Cecila Masuskapoe, published prerogative to keep her own to University of Manitoba in Cree – reflects the respect history. Like their earlier - Voices of Rupert’s Land and admiration that all who collections of Cree texts, Fund] know her hold for kêkêk, as she this book documents an is called in Cree. autonomous representation of The reminiscences and what actually happened.
John Long: Treaty No. 9: Making the Agreement to Share the Land in Far Northern Ontario in 1905 For more than a century, the recent commemoration. the First Nations who signed it. vast lands of Northern Ontario Restoring nearly forgotten have been shared among perspectives to the historical Please see the Rupert’s Land the governments of Canada, record, John Long considers Record Society Series insert Ontario, and the First Nations the methods used by the for more information who signed Treaty No. 9 in government of Canada 1905. For just as long, details to explain Treaty No. 9 about the signing of the to Northern Ontario First constitutionally recognized Nations. He shows that agreement have been known many crucial details about only through the accounts the treaty’s contents were of two of the commissioners omitted in the transmission of appointed by the Government writing to speech, while other of Canada. Treaty No. 9 promises were made orally provides a truer perspective but not included in the written on the treaty by adding the treaty. Reproducing the three neglected account of a third treaty commissioners’ personal commissioner and tracing the journals in their entirety, Long treaty’s origins, negotiation, reveals the contradictions that explanation, interpretation, suggest the treaty parchment signing, implementation, and was never fully explained to
17 New in Print Carolyn Podruchny and Laura Peers, eds., Gathering Places: Aboriginal and Fur Trade Histories Gathering Places presents some of the most innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to metis, fur trade, and First Nations history being practised today. Whether they are discussing dietary practices on the Plateau, trees as cultural and geographical markers in the trade, the meanings of totemic signatures, issues of representation in public history, or the writings of Aboriginal anthropologists and historians, the authors link archival, archaeological, material, oral, and ethnographic evidence to offer novel explorations that extend beyond earlier scholarship centred on the archive. They draw on Aboriginal perspectives, material forms of evidence, and personal approaches to history to illuminate cross-cultural encounters and challenge older approaches to the past.
**Gathering Places includes contributions from many of our Centre’s members and associates including: Heidi Bohaker, Jennifer Brown, Kevin Brownlee, Heather Devine, Susan Elaine Gray, Laura Peers, Carolyn Podruchny, Theresa Schenck, Germaine Warkentin, and Cory Willmott.**
For a full table of contents and more information, see University of British Columbia Press at http://www.ubcpress.ca/search/title_book.asp?BookID=299173168
Ann M. Carlos and Frank D. Lewis: Commerce by a Frozen Sea Native Americans and the European Fur Trade Commerce by a Frozen gave Native Americans access Sea is a cross-cultural study of to new European technologies a century of contact between that were integrated into North American native peoples Indian lifeways. What and Europeans. During the emerges from this detailed eighteenth century, the natives exploration is a story of two of the Hudson Bay lowlands equal partners involved in a and their European trading mutually beneficial trade. partners were brought together For more information, see by an increasingly popular University of Pennsylvania trade in furs, destined for the Press hat and fur markets of Europe. Native Americans were the http://www.upenn.edu/pen- sole trappers of furs, which npress/book/14718.html they traded to English and French merchants. The trade
18 The Centre for Rupert’s Land Publications & Hudson’s Bay Record Society Books (All current members receive a 20 per cent discount.) Prices already reflect the discount
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Watch for coming availability of past volumes of Papers of the Algonquian Conference!
Duckworth, Harry W. (ed.), The English River Book: A North West Company Journal and Account Book of 1786. Cloth (1990) $36
Keighley, Sydney, Trader, Tripper, Trapper: The Life of a Bay Man. Cloth (1989) $36
Losey, Elizabeth Browne. Let Them Be Remembered: The Story of the Fur Trade Forts. $36
Lytwyn, Victor P., The Fur Trade of the Little North. Paper (1986) $30
Papers of Rupert’s Land Colloquium, 2002. $30 Papers of Rupert’s Land Colloquium, 2004. $45 Papers of Rupert's Land Colloquium, 2008 (CD) $15 Papers of Rupert's Land Colloquium, 2010 (CD) $15 $25 for both the 2008 and 2010 Proceedings. Special rate not available to non members
Schuetze, Luther L. Mission to Little Grand Rapids: Life with the Anishinabe 1927-1938 $24
Stardom, Eleanor, A Stranger to the Fur Trade: Joseph Wrigley and the Transformation of the Hudson's Bay Company, 1884-1891. Cloth (1995) $24
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Hudson's Bay Record Society Volumes (cloth)
Vol. 29 Simpson's Letters to London, 1841-42 $60 Vol. 32 Fort Victoria Letters, 1846-51 $36 Vol. 31 Letters of Charles John Brydges, 1879-82, $36 Vol. 33 Letters of Charles John Brydges, 1883-89 $36 $50.00 for the two volume set (nos. 31 & 33) Special rate for set not available to non-members
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