Anthony Henday

Who is Anthony Henday?

Anthony Henday was one of the first European men to explore the interior of the Canadian northwest.

Henday was from the Isle of Wight, he may have been baptised in Shorwell on 24 December 1725.

His explorations were authorized and funded by the Hudson's Bay Company because of their concern with La Vérendrye and the other western commanders who were funnelling fur trade from the northwest to their forts. Henday volunteered to undertake an expedition into this territory. A convicted smuggler, he joined the HBC in 1750 as a net-maker and labourer. Henday had gained some experience in inland travel after arriving at York Factory. On June 26, 1754, he set out with a group of Plains Indians. It is documented that they passed the French Fort Paskoya where he may have met La Corne, the western commander at that time.

In October 1754 he and his group came to what is now Alberta from York Factory with a mission to meet the Blackfoot and perhaps trade with them.

After receiving an indefinite answer from the Blackfoot, Henday traveled back to York Factory with news that he had explored the area and had met with the Blackfoot.