TORONTO – A new series of historical narratives that tell the story of Canada's adventurous past debuted on TV screens this week, backed by Canada's oldest company.
The HBC History Foundation, established by Hudson's Bay Company, is behind Country of Adventurers. With a mission to advance the knowledge of and interest in Canadian history, The History Foundation created the series to celebrate the remarkable achievements of some the nation's greatest adventurers and explorers.
Each story will be told by a modern day Canadian adventurer and end with the stirring line "we are a country of adventurers". The HBC History Foundation shot the series in Canadian locations to be as authentic and true to the stories as possible.
"Nearly 350 years ago, in 1670, Hudson's Bay Company was founded as the "Company of Adventurers trading into Hudson Bay". HBC helped establish the nation and the company archives represent an important part of the story of Canada," said HBC governor and executive chairman Richard Baker, in the news release. "That's why the HBC History Foundation is uniquely positioned and committed to telling Canada's rich stories."
The first historical narrative tells the story of Dr. John Rae, a Scottish doctor who worked for Hudson's Bay Company from 1833-1856. Arguably the greatest arctic explorer who ever lived, Dr. Rae was the man who found the last missing link of the fabled Northwest Passage and also discovered the fate of the Franklin expedition, a feat many others attempted but perished in search of. He also worked closely with, and learned from, the Inuit, for whom he had great respect. The Rae story is narrated by modern day survivalist and TV host Les Stroud (pictured).
The 60-second and 30-second spots will run nationally on both specialty and conventional stations, and will also be accessible online. Additional stories will premiere throughout the fall and into 2016.
