Anthony Henday facts for kids

Anthony Henday was one of the first Europeans to explore the vast lands of what is now western Canada. He traveled farther west than any other European before him.

As an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, he journeyed across the prairies in the 1750s. He explored what is now central Alberta and possibly reached the area of present-day Red Deer. He camped along the North Saskatchewan River, perhaps near where Rocky Mountain House or Edmonton are today. Many believe he was the first European to see the Rocky Mountains, even if only from far away.

His main goal was to encourage First Nations people living near the Saskatchewan River to travel to Hudson Bay to trade. However, the long distance, the difficulty of building and paddling canoes, and the fear of attacks from the Cree people made the Blackfoot and other western prairie First Nations hesitant to make the journey.

Early Life

Anthony Henday was from the Isle of Wight, England. He was probably born around 1725.

Exploring for the Hudson's Bay Company

Henday joined the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in 1750. Company officials described him as "bold and enterprising."

From the 1600s to the late 1800s, the HBC had special rights to trade furs in the land around Hudson Bay. This area was called Rupert's Land. The HBC wanted furs and offered goods like tobacco, kettles, axes, mirrors, beads, and alcohol in return.

The HBC was worried that French traders, like La Vérendrye, were taking away the fur trade from the English at Hudson Bay. So, James Isham, a leader at York Fort, suggested sending an expedition into western Rupert's Land. The HBC agreed and funded Henday to lead these explorations. His base was York Factory.

Henday's First Big Journey

On June 26, 1754, Henday set out from York Factory with several Cree companions. They traveled on foot into the interior, heading west towards what is now Alberta. His exact path is not fully clear. Some think he went to present-day Red Deer, or other places like Balermo, Innisfail, Stettler, Eckville, or even the Calgary area.

It is known that Henday's group passed the French Fort Paskoya, near today's The Pas, on July 15, 1754. This was recorded in his journal. He might have met La Corne, the French commander, there or the next spring.

Anthony Henday's route in green.

In 1754, Henday and his group reached what is now Alberta. Their mission was to meet the Blackfoot people and trade with them. They traveled about 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) by canoe and 1,400 kilometers (900 miles) on foot. Henday earned the respect of the Blackfoot. He traveled with them for about 1,400 kilometers (900 miles) until he could see the mighty Rocky Mountains. He then returned to York Factory in less than a year.

On September 10, 1754, Henday and his group camped near where Chauvin is today, possibly at Sherlock Lake. The next day, September 11, he crossed from Saskatchewan into present-day Alberta. On October 11, he reached the Waskesew River, which might have been the Red Deer River. Waskesew is an English version of the Cree word for elk.

Meeting the Blackfoot

Henday may not have known that the Blackfoot and the Cree were enemies. His journal suggests that his Cree companions became cautious of the tribes they met. While traveling in what Henday called the "Muscuty plains," they met a man with two Archithinue (Blackfoot) people. His Cree companions were afraid because these people had never met Europeans before. On October 14, Blackfoot people on horseback approached and asked if they were friends or enemies.

That evening, Henday stopped near present-day Innisfail. He found a huge Blackfoot camp with 322 tepees. This camp was likely a few miles west of Pine Lake, where a monument to Henday was later built. Inside the tent of the great Archithinue chief, Henday smoked a peace pipe. Through an interpreter, he explained why he was there. Henday invited some Archithinue to return with them to York Factory.

The Archithinue leader said no. He explained that his people could not paddle canoes and that York Factory was too far. The leader probably also knew that traveling through Cree territory would be dangerous. Henday encouraged the tribesmen to hunt and trap more furs. But the tribesmen preferred to relax in camp, enjoying their drumming and ceremonies.

After getting an unclear answer from the Blackfoot, Henday returned to York Factory. He brought news of his exploration and meeting with the Blackfoot. Because the answer was not a clear yes, no more expeditions went to what would become Alberta until Peter Fidler in 1792. The first Fort Edmonton was built just three years after that.

Return Journey

In spring 1755, Henday began his journey back to York Factory. He went north to the North Saskatchewan River to travel downstream and eastward. On March 3, 1755, he reached the North Saskatchewan River near the mouth of the Sturgeon River, close to present-day Fort Saskatchewan. He camped there while canoes were made and more First Nations people arrived with furs.

When the river ice broke, 70 canoes started downstream. However, at the French forts of La Corne and Paskoya, gifts of brandy from the French persuaded the First Nations people to trade most of their best furs. This meant Henday's company lost out on those furs. He celebrated St. George's Day (April 23) possibly at the junction of the Red Deer River and Trail Creek. He set off downriver on April 27. He arrived at Fort Paskoya on May 26 and York Fort on June 23.

Henday's journey to the Blackfoot country and back took him across much of the prairies of what is now Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Journal and Legacy

There is some uncertainty about Henday's exact route. His original journal and notes are missing. His journal was copied into four different versions, and they sometimes contradict each other. It's also hard to match his descriptions to modern places because he didn't identify many lasting landmarks.

He did record seeing what he thought were the Rockies. The natives he met called them "Arsinie Watchie." He wrote, "Had a fine view of Arsinie Watchie at a far distance, it being the last sight that I ever shall have of it this year." (Henday's Journal, December 24, 1754). However, it's possible that "Arsinie Watchie" or what Henday saw was actually a series of high hills, not the majestic mountains themselves.

Despite the uncertainties, it is clear that Henday brought a lot of trade to York Factory.

Henday left the Hudson's Bay Company in 1762. He felt that his hard work for the company had not been properly recognized.

Historians praise Henday's brave journey, saying "there is no feat in all the story of Northwestern travel that surpasses this." His trip helped the company understand and develop the West more.

Anthony Henday Drive, a large ring road in Edmonton, is named in his honor. Henday Hall, a residence tower at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, is also named after him.

See also

In Spanish: Anthony Henday para niños

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