François Beaulieu
Encyclopedia
François He was an Arctic guide and interpreter who played an important role in exploration in that part of North America.
Beaulieu accompanied Sir Alexander Mackenzie on his overland trek to the Pacific in 1793. In 1820 he met Arctic explorer, John Franklin
, and provided him with valuable information regarding a base camp on the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake
for his planned exploration to the mouth of the Coppermine River
. (Franklin was unable to follow Beaulieu's advice, possibly resulting in the loss of life on that journey).
Beaulieu was the guide and interpreter on the second expedition from 1825–27 which was based at Fort Franklin
on the west shore of Great Bear Lake. His knowledge and input into the planning and completion of this trip made it the most successful of its kind in the Canadian Arctic.
Beaulieu was well known as a chief as well. He and his followers settled at Salt River where he maintained a trade with the Hudson's Bay Company
.
at Portage La Loche and became an active adherent to the Roman Catholic religion, dismissed two of his wives and spent much energy supporting the church. Through marriage, he was a brother-in-law of Yellowknives
chief Akaitcho
.
He died at Salt River, Northwest Territories
in his 101st year, though still today, the date of his death is somewhat unsure.
Beaulieu accompanied Sir Alexander Mackenzie on his overland trek to the Pacific in 1793. In 1820 he met Arctic explorer, John Franklin
John Franklin
Rear-Admiral Sir John Franklin KCH FRGS RN was a British Royal Navy officer and Arctic explorer. Franklin also served as governor of Tasmania for several years. In his last expedition, he disappeared while attempting to chart and navigate a section of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic...
, and provided him with valuable information regarding a base camp on the Dease Arm of Great Bear Lake
Great Bear Lake
Great Bear Lake is the largest lake entirely within Canada , the third or fourth largest in North America, and the seventh or eighth largest in the world...
for his planned exploration to the mouth of the Coppermine River
Coppermine River
The Coppermine River is a river in the North Slave and Kitikmeot regions of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada. It is long. It rises in Lac de Gras, a small lake near Great Slave Lake and flows generally north to Coronation Gulf, an arm of the Arctic Ocean...
. (Franklin was unable to follow Beaulieu's advice, possibly resulting in the loss of life on that journey).
Beaulieu was the guide and interpreter on the second expedition from 1825–27 which was based at Fort Franklin
Deline, Northwest Territories
The Charter Community of Délįne is located in the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada on the western shore of Great Bear Lake and is northwest of Yellowknife. Délįne means "where the waters flow", a reference to the headwaters of the Great Bear River, Sahtúdé.The population as of the...
on the west shore of Great Bear Lake. His knowledge and input into the planning and completion of this trip made it the most successful of its kind in the Canadian Arctic.
Beaulieu was well known as a chief as well. He and his followers settled at Salt River where he maintained a trade with the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
.
Personal life
In 1848, 'Old Man Beaulieu' was baptized by Father Alexandre-Antonin TachéAlexandre-Antonin Taché
Alexandre-Antonin Taché was a Roman Catholic priest, missionary of the Oblate order, author and the first Archbishop of Saint Boniface in the Canadian province of Manitoba.In late 1844 Taché entered the Oblate novitiate...
at Portage La Loche and became an active adherent to the Roman Catholic religion, dismissed two of his wives and spent much energy supporting the church. Through marriage, he was a brother-in-law of Yellowknives
Yellowknives
The Yellowknives, Yellow Knives, Copper Indians, Red Knives or T'atsaot'ine are Aboriginal peoples of Canada, one of the five main groups of the Dene indigenous people that live in the Northwest Territories of Canada...
chief Akaitcho
Akaitcho
Akaitcho was a Copper Indian, and Chief of the Yellowknives...
.
He died at Salt River, Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
in his 101st year, though still today, the date of his death is somewhat unsure.