Jacques Portier - Old Nor'Wester

This presentation deals with the early opening of the North West and present day Washington State to "European" influence from 1792 to the 1830's.  It is a first person impersonation based on Jacques Portier, a Métis, in the 1830's who reminisces about his time as a voyageur and a partner in the old Northwest Company.  From the founding of Astoria, Spokane and Vancouver, Portier in story and in song provides first hand accounts of the exploits and adventures of his contemporaries - Finlay; Thompson; Simpson; Fraser;  McKenzie  - the first explorers and traders of the old northwest.

A decade before Lewis and Clark made their epic journey and long before the great migrations of the mid-nineteenth century, the opening of the North West was first and foremost a business enterprise. It started at the mouth of the mighty Columbia with British and American traders in the 1790's. Later commerce came overland by the traders of the North West Company and after 1820, the HBC. What came about, through give and take was a negotiated understanding and working relationship among the parties. Each retained an element of uniqueness, but assimilated changes into their own way of doing things. It was by and large a prosperous peaceful coexistence based upon the common ground of commerce.

This presentation is suitable for elementary school age through adult audiences.

Fees for this program are negotiable.  Please contact us for details.