The Champlain Library will welcome the public this March for a compelling talk on the history, challenges, and future of Canada’s Northwest Passage.
Historian David Stringer will present Canada’s Northwest Passage: Exploration, Climate Change & a Future Global Shipping Route on Wednesday, March 18, beginning at 6:30 p.m. David previously gave a very well received talk on Ancient Egypt. The event will take place at the Creating Centre, 11 High Street, Vankleek Hill.
The talk will trace the Northwest Passage from the early modern period, when Europeans sought faster routes to the Indies for luxury goods, to the realization that a continent lay between Europe and Asia. Attendees will learn about the explorers who charted this treacherous route, the significance of Rupert’s Land and the Hudson Bay Company, and the famous Franklin expedition. The presentation will highlight Amundsen’s east-to-west and Larsen’s west-to-east crossings, as well as the discovery of Franklin’s ships Erebus and Terror.
In addition to its rich history, the session will examine the impact of climate change on the Passage and the potential for a future global shipping route, including the legal and geopolitical challenges surrounding its ownership. The talk will also touch on the Northern Sea Route, offering a broader view of Arctic navigation today.
This free event is open to the public, though donations are welcome. Seating is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to reserve a spot online at bc-cl.ca or by calling the library at 613-678-2216.
