Northern and Western Exploration Student Activities

Identify some of the hardships and challenges faced by earlier Selkirk settlers.

Map Hearne's explorations.

Research Lord Selkirk and make a presentation about his life and legacy to the class.

What is the importance of Cumberland House? Locate it on a map.

What was the name of Cook's ship? Why was that appropriate?

What was the Nootka Crisis and why was it important?

Why did James Cook explore British Columbia?

Examine a map of western Canada. If you were one of the heads of one of the fur trading companies, where would you locate fur trading posts? Why?

Imagine that you are an early Red River settler. Write a letter to relatives back in Ontario explaining your new life.

Make a chart of the strengths and weaknesses of the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company. Which appeared to have the upper hand in the competition?

Research the legend of the Seven Oaks Massacre. Present the results of your findings to the class.

Step into the painting "First Council of Assiniboia." Write the words being spoken in the scene.

Working in pairs, negotiate the May 1836 purchase of Red River by the Hudson's Bay Company.

Write three diary entries that Hearne might have written.

Imagine that you are John Jewitt. Why do you think you've been able to survive?

What are the first three words that come into head upon viewing the portrait of Samuel Hearne?

Why did the Chipewyn chief, Matonabbee traveled with Hearne.

Why is Spanish explorer Juan Jose Perez Hernadez so little recognized in most history books?

Write the Proclamation creating Assiniboia that you see Macdonnell reading.

How did the Metis react to the coming of the Selkirk settlers? Explain.

How do you think the aboriginal people of the north reacted upon seeing the earliest white men? Why?

There are two paintings of Cooks meeting aboriginals. Re-enact the scene. What might have been said? What feelings and emotions might have been felt on both sides?

What role did George Simpson play in the history of the fur trade?

What was pemmican and why was it so important?

What was the value of the northwest?

Find the evidence to support the thesis that Francis Drake was the first European to visit the British Columbia coast.

Read portions of Hearne's "Account." What further insights does it provide you with regarding Hearne's travels? What are the advantages in history of such primary sources? Are there disadvantages involved with primary sources? If so, what are they?

Write a feature article, complete with visuals, on the Pemmican War.

Write a newspaper editorial entitled "The Fur Trade Determines Canada's Development."