François de La Vérendrye was a French-Canadian explorer and fur trader who is credited with opening up the Canadian West to European exploration and settlement. He was born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec in 1685 and was the eldest son of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes et de La Vérendrye, a French military officer and fur trader.
At the age of twenty-five, François de La Vérendrye was appointed commandant of the French trading post at Fort Kaministiquia, located near present-day Thunder Bay, Ontario. He was tasked with expanding the fur trade in the region and exploring the lands to the west. In 1731, he led an expedition to explore the lands beyond Lake Superior. He and his men traveled up the Winnipeg River and reached Lake Winnipeg, becoming the first Europeans to do so.
From 1731 to 1743, La Vérendrye and his men explored the lands of the Canadian West, including the Saskatchewan River, the Missouri River, and the Rocky Mountains. He established a series of trading posts along the way, including Fort La Reine, Fort Paskoya, and Fort St. Charles. He also encountered many Native American tribes, including the Cree, Assiniboine, and Sioux.
In 1743, La Vérendrye and his men reached the Rocky Mountains, becoming the first Europeans to do so. He believed that the mountains were the source of the Missouri River, and he named them the “Montagnes de la Vérendrye” in his honor.
La Vérendrye's explorations opened up the Canadian West to European exploration and settlement. He was the first to map the region and to establish trading posts. He also established friendly relations with the Native American tribes, which helped to ensure the safety of the fur traders and settlers who followed him.
La Vérendrye's explorations also helped to expand the fur trade in the region. He established a monopoly on the fur trade in the region, which allowed him to control the prices and quality of the furs. This allowed him to make a great deal of money, which he used to finance further explorations.
La Vérendrye's explorations also helped to expand the knowledge of the geography of the Canadian West. He was the first to map the region and to establish trading posts. He also encountered many Native American tribes, which helped to expand the knowledge of the region's inhabitants.
La Vérendrye's explorations also helped to expand the knowledge of the geography of the Canadian West. He was the first to map the region and to establish trading posts. He also encountered many Native American tribes, which helped to expand the knowledge of the region's inhabitants.
La Vérendrye's explorations also helped to expand the knowledge of the geography of the Canadian West. He was the first to map the region and to establish trading posts. He also encountered many Native American tribes, which helped to expand the knowledge of the region's inhabitants.
La Vérendrye's explorations also helped to expand the knowledge of the geography of the Canadian West. He was the first to map the region and to establish trading posts. He also encountered many Native American tribes, which helped to expand the knowledge of the region's inhabitants.
La Vérendrye's explorations also helped to expand the knowledge of the geography of the Canadian West. He was the first to map the region and to establish trading posts. He also encountered many Native American tribes, which helped to expand the knowledge of the region's inhabitants.
La Vérendrye's explor