This fall marks the bicentennial of the James McMillan expedition that ventured north from Fort George (Astoria, Oregon) to survey a site for a new Pacific Coast headquarters of the Hudson’s Bay Company. This gruelling fall expedition included 40 men who were aboard flat-bottomed Columbia River Boats that were sometimes dragged along the shoreline or across portages (most crew members were Voyageurs). This expedition led to the establishment of Fort Langley at Derby Reach in 1827 and trading began with the local Indigenous peoples — British Columbia was declared some three decades later in 1858. The Living Arts Society is commemorating this event with talks at the Timms Centre in Langley City and reenactments at Portage Park on December 14th. More HERE.
Created with GIMP
