Remembering David Thompson: a great Canadian

A major bicentennial celebration is planned for next year to mark the first crossing of the Rockies by Canadian explorer David Thompson, who earlier had surveyed the south shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Sault Ste. Marie.

Further bicentennial commemorations are planned through until 2011, marking other achievements by Thompson [shown], considered by many to be the greatest land geographer in history.

The following news release was issued today by Parks Canada:

************************* Canada's new government celebrates the unveiling of the David Thompson travelling exhibit WILLIAMSTOWN, ONTARIO, February 10 - Mr. Guy Lauzon, member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, on behalf of the Honourable John Baird, minister of the environment and minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Mr. Jim Brownell, member of provincial parliament for Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburg, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Phillips, minister of government services, today unveiled the David Thompson travelling exhibit.

Development of the exhibit, part of the North American David Thompson Bicentennial Commemoration, was the result of a unique partnership between Parks Canada and the Archives of Ontario.

Using historic images and descriptive text, the display highlights the accomplishments of David Thompson in expanding the fur trade and exploring and mapping the vast North American landscape.

"Canada's New Government recognizes the integral role Canadians like David Thompson have played throughout the exploration and founding of our national identity," said Mr. Lauzon.

"All Canadians should have the opportunity to be introduced to our past, and travelling exhibits like this the one this government launched today make that happen," Lauzon said.

David Thompson was arguably North America's greatest land geographer having travelled some 90,000 kilometres, mapping much of it in detail using the astronomical observations carefully recorded in his journals.

With his wife Charlotte Small, a woman of mixed Cree and Scottish background, and their young family, Thompson expanded the fur trade across the Rockies to the West Coast while employed by the Hudson's Bay Company and later the North West Company.

"It is a pleasure for me to participate in today's ceremony to commemorate the many accomplishments of David Thompson," said Mr. Brownell.

"It is fitting the event take place on the 150th anniversary of his death, here at his former home in Williamstown," Mr. Brownell said.

"By celebrating our heritage and preserving landmarks such as this historic residence, we enrich our identity as Ontarians and Canadians," he said.

"I congratulate all those involved in this partnership and look forward to future projects for the David Thompson Bicentennial."

The David Thompson travelling exhibit is part of a larger continental Bicentennial initiative honouring Thompson and his legacy during the 200th anniversary of his first crossing of the Rockies and the 150th anniversary of his passing.

The Archives of Ontario, as the custodians of the largest collection of Thompson journals, maps and correspondence, plans to showcase the exhibit at a variety of venues across the province.

Parks Canada will display a copy of the exhibit at various national historic sites and national parks.

The exhibit will be supplemented by on-line educational resources to assist teachers and students in their understanding of Thompson's legacy.

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