Historic Theme Pages

Alexander Mackenzie

In 1793 Alexander Mackenzie, his lieutenant, 6 voyageurs, and two Native guides left Fort Fork in one canoe with the intention of finding the infamous Northwest Passage and extending Canada’s border to the Pacific Ocean. With the assistance of Native guides the troupe followed the Grease Trail starting near what is now Quesnel. Once in the Bella Coola Valley Mackenzie came upon a small village, which he called “Friendly Village” near Burnt Bridge Creek where they were warmly received. He then came to “Great Village” or Nusqalst where they found three massive long houses erected on stilts. Near the mouth of the Bella Coola River the voyaguers came upon another native village, Q’umk’uts. They made their way into the channel, but were deterred by 15 people from another nation before making it to open ocean. At this point, satisfied with reaching salt water, Mackenzie signed his name and date on a rock, using a mixture of bear grease and vermillion.

Click on the names (blue text) to read excerpts from his journal written in 1801.

 

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