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First Journey, Fort William

1987-01-01 · 23 min · ★ 8.0

History

Set in 1815, this is the dramatic story of a child of the fur trade, son of a Native mother and a Scottish-Canadian fur trader. John Mackenzie's father is a wintering partner of the Montréal-based North West Company, which was for decades the wealthiest merchant enterprise in North America. To mark his entry into adulthood, twelve-year-old John is travelling for the first time to Fort William, the Company's lavish winter headquarters by Lake Superior. In following his journey, the film reveals the complex network of people--Scottish, French and Native Canadian--that made up fur-trading society and gave a unique flavor to the opening up of Canada's northwest.

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Production details

Directors
Joan Henson
Production companies
ONF | NFB
Countries
Canada
Status
Released

Top Cast

Bobby KitchkeesicJohn Mackenzie
Daniel McGoeyFather
Cheryl KylanderMother
Denis MaletteBissonnette
James HughesMr. McLeod
Walter MasseyWalter MasseySelf - Narrator (voice)
Thomas LackeySelf - Narrator (voice)
Gloria DemersSelf - Narrator (voice)

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