Who was Henry Kelsey, and why is his 1691 journey significant to Saskatchewan history?

Henry Kelsey (c. 1667–1724) was a British mariner and explorer who played a pivotal role in the operations of the Hudson’s Bay Company. He became highly proficient in First Nations languages and served as the company's overseas governor from 1718 to 1722.1

His 1691 journey is significant to the history of Saskatchewan because he was the first European known to see the Saskatchewan River. As part of a two-year expedition initiated in 1690 to promote trade with First Nations peoples, Kelsey explored the central plains of Canada. This venture is widely believed to have made him the first white man to explore this region, marking a foundational moment in the European contact and exploration history of the territory that would eventually become the province of Saskatchewan.12