Samuel Hearne and Matonabbee's Trek to the Arctic Ocean

First and Second Expeditions
1769 and 1770

Hearne set out on November 6, 1769, on a mission to find the Chipewyan chief, Matonabbee, whose help he needed to explore the North. Before he went far, his guide abandoned him so he had to go back to Prince of Wales Fort.

Hearne set out again on February 23, 1770. After many months of hard travel, all of Hearne's equipment was stolen. Some believe that the Native people were sabotaging the expeditions to keep the British away. Luckily, Hearne met Matonabbee, who led him back to Prince of Wales Fort.

The Key to Success
Hearne's first two expeditions taught him several things that helped him be more successful:

1. you need first-class Native guides
2. you don't lead Native people through their own land, you follow them at their own pace

The Illustrated History of Canada. Edited by Craig Brown. Toronto: Lester Pub., ©1991, 1987, p. 95.