17 Facts About Henry Kelsey

Henry Kelsey is the first recorded European to have visited the present-day provinces of Saskatchewan and, possibly, Alberta, as well as the first to have explored the Great Plains from the north.

Henry Kelsey was posted at a fort on Hudson's Bay near present-day York Factory, Manitoba, near the mouth of the Nelson River on Hudson Bay.

Henry Kelsey travelled inland for about 235 miles north of the Churchill, but returned without having any success.

Henry Kelsey carried with him a sample of hatchets, beads, and tobacco the company offered.

Henry Kelsey sent a letter, carried by First Nations people, back to York Factory with his observations about the journey and the First Nations people he had met.

Henry Kelsey said that the various indigenous nations were continually at war with each other, which hindered prospects for trade.

In spring 1691, Henry Kelsey received a supply of trade goods from York Factory; his orders were to obtain what beaver pelts he could and to return the following year with as many First Nations people as possible to introduce them to the trading post.

At Deering's Point, Henry Kelsey was still in the austere Taiga boreal forest of northern Canada.

Henry Kelsey's party had gone hungry during their ascent of the journey through the taiga, but now Kelsey and his indigenous companions feasted on buffalo.

Henry Kelsey noted the abundance of beaver in the many ponds and lakes of the aspen parkland.

Henry Kelsey wintered with the Indians and returned to York Factory in the summer of 1692, accompanied by numerous Assiniboine and Cree eager for trade with the HBC.

Henry Kelsey returned to England in 1693, reenlisted in 1694 and returned to York Factory.

Henry Kelsey returned to England at these times, on the second occasion as a prisoner of the French.

In 1705 Henry Kelsey went back to Fort Albany as chief trader.

Henry Kelsey was distinguished for his ability to establish good relations with Indians, which enabled him to be mostly successful as a trader.

In 1931, Henry Kelsey was recognized as a Person of National Historic Significance by the government of Canada.

Henry Kelsey was referenced in the song Northwest Passage by Stan Rogers as "Brave Kelso".