First Crossing: Alexander Mackenzie`s fascinating crossing of North America — Richard Van Loon – Free Lecture

When: Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 7:00 PM

Where: Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Drive

Admission is free, refreshments will be served and people of all ages are invited to attend.

Alex Mackenzie from Canada by land 22d July 1793 — Those simple words painted on a rock at the head of the North Bentinck Arm near Bella Coola BC mark the culmination of the first complete crossing of North America, a voyage by one of Canada’s most famous trader/explorers, Alexander Mackenzie. Mackenzie’s odyssey was indeed amazing but it would not have been possible without the support of several First Nations and a hardy group of traders who preceded his travels to the northwest. We will meet many of them, and his dog, as Mackenzie makes a perilous way west. Hang on. It’s a tough trip.

Richard Van Loon was President and Professor Emeritus of Carleton University which he led from 1995 to 2005. He then returned teaching there in the School of Public Policy and Administration until 2015. He was a professor of political science and public administration at Queen`s, University of Ottawa and Carleton, intermingled with a career in the public service, ending as Associate Deputy Minister of both Health Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs.

This talk and others on early Canadian history result from an ongoing interest rekindled after he left the presidency of Carleton in 2005.

Questions? Please email barbara@blackburnhamlet.ca.