Tête Jaune

Tête Jaune aka. Pierre Bostonais aka. Pierre Hastination (died 1828) an Iroquois-Métis trapper / fur-trader / explorer who worked for the North West Company and Hudson's Bay Company during the 18th and 19th centuries. His nickname (which means yellow head in French) was given to him because of his blond hair.[1] The name “Bostonais” refers to his probable American origin. First Nations people applied this name to American traders (“Boston men” in French).[2]

In the early 19th century, Pierre crossed the Rocky Mountains by the pass which would later bear his name. He led a brigade of Hudson's Bay men through the same pass in December 1819 to encounter the Secwepemc people. Pierre would later move his cache from the Grand Fork of the Fraser river to a Secwepemc fishing village on the Fraser.[3] He and his family were killed by members of the Dunneza in 1828 near the headwaters of the Smoky River, in retaliation for Iroquois encroachment into Dunneza territory.[3]

For a list of places named after Tête Jaune, see Yellowhead.

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References

  1. ↑ Akrigg, G.P.V. and Helen B. (1997). British Columbia Place Names. Vancouver, BC: UBC Press. p. 265. ISBN 9780774806374.
  2. ↑ Howgego, Raymond John (2004). Encyclopedia of exploration, 1800 to 1850 : a comprehensive reference guide to the history and literature of exploration, travel and colonization between the years 1800 and 1850. Sydney, NSW: Hodern House. p. 60. ISBN 9781875567393.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mount Robson Provincial Park, Draft Background Report, September, 2006