Simon Fraser (1776-1862)

Simon Fraser was one of the earliest explorers of European descent to travel the interior of British Columbia. In 1808, he became the first outsider to traverse the treacherous rapids in passing down the Fraser River. During this journey, he was accompanied by Tse’Khene, Secwepemc, St’at’imc, Nlaka’pamux and Sto:lo guides, French-Canadian voyageurs, and others. Their assistance and skill, in addition to the knowledge he gained from Indigenous Peoples, allowed Fraser to explore the river to the Strait of Georgia. The expedition down on the river that now bears his name is considered one of Canada’s greatest explorations. 

Fraser was a partner in the North West Company during the years of intense corporate rivalry in the fur trade. Fraser’s voyages, and the fur trading posts he created, drove the North West Company’s expansion west of the Rockies and, as a result, established a permanent British presence in a territory still unmapped by Europeans. His explorations focused on finding a water route from the interior to the coast. Between 1805 and 1808, he crossed the Rocky Mountains and endeavoured to trace the Columbia River to its mouth, giving the name New Caledonia to what is now the north-central region of the province. In 1805, he established Fort McLeod, which was the first permanent European settlement west of the Rocky Mountains in what is now British Columbia. The next year, he established Fort St. James, Fort Fraser, and Fort George (later Prince George). In 1808, his final and most arduous journey brought a party of 24 men down a river to the Strait of Georgia, where he discovered he was not on the Columbia River as he thought but instead on the Fraser. 

Like many explorers and fur traders of this era, Fraser was aware that he needed the assistance and knowledge of the Indigenous Peoples. During his journey down the Fraser River, his party included trader Jules Quesnel, French-Canadian voyageurs, Scottish clerks, Métis hunters, and Indigenous guides. As the expedition passed through First Nations’ territories, Fraser often sent First Nation representatives ahead of the party to inform the local communities of their imminent arrival and to assure them that the group’s intentions were friendly. The Indigenous groups provided the travellers with important information, advice, guides, food, and canoes. Oral accounts of Fraser’s travels have survived in many of these communities. 

Fraser was unable to locate a viable water route to the Pacific for the North West Company. His party experienced extremely dangerous and challenging canyons, particularly through Hell’s Gate and Black Canyon on the Fraser River. His expeditions, however, laid the foundation for others who later succeeded in connecting the Pacific with the interior of British Columbia. Fraser not only established the first Euro-Canadian presence in what became British Columbia, he also contributed to the continental ambitions of one of the most important commercial empires of 19th century Canada.