Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada will participate in a plaque unveiling ceremony to commemorate the historic significance of Early Science in Canada’s North and the Hudson’s Bay Company.

From 1768 to 1810, the Hudson’s Bay Company played a key role in sponsoring scientific endeavours at its trading posts in northern Canada, especially in the fields of astronomy, meteorology, cartography, and natural history. From observing the Transit of Venus, to expanding the understanding of northern natural history, this era heralded major contributions to the scientific knowledge of the time.

Although much of the credit for scientific achievements went to Royal Society scientists, Indigenous Peoples were vital to many of these scientific endeavours. The legacy of this work in northern science continues to today in the development and orientation of natural scientific institutions, in ongoing northern research, and in international scientific cooperation in the northern circumpolar region.

Please note that this advisory is subject to change without notice.

The details are as follows:

Date:               Monday, August 26, 2024.

Time:              Media to arrive at 6:45 p.m. (CDT)
                         Ceremony starts at 7 p.m. (CDT)                      

Location:        Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Churchill
                         1 Mantayo Seepee Meskanow Street
                         Churchill, MB, R0B 0E0

                                                                                                                -30-