Samuel Hearne’s Journey to the Northern Ocean Trivia Questions 1769-1772

What was the primary motivation for Samuel Hearne’s three expeditions to the Northern Ocean?

  • To find a route to the Pacific Ocean
  • To establish trade with the Inuit people
  • To map the coastline of Hudson Bay
  • To locate a source of copper deposits

Correct Answer: To locate a source of copper deposits

Correct Answer Explanation: The Hudson’s Bay Company, hoping to find a new source of copper for their trade, commissioned Samuel Hearne to explore the region north of Hudson Bay.

Which Indigenous group provided Hearne with crucial guidance on his final successful journey to the Coppermine River?

  • The Cree
  • The Inuit
  • The Athapuscow
  • The Chipewyan

Correct Answer: The Chipewyan

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne’s third journey, led by the Chipewyan leader Matonabbee, was the only one that successfully reached the mouth of the Coppermine River.

What did Hearne discover about the Coppermine River that contradicted initial expectations?

  • It was teeming with fish, ideal for fishing.
  • It was abundant in copper, as the Indians had reported.
  • It was a navigable route to the interior.
  • It was not navigable and did not hold easily accessible copper.

Correct Answer: It was not navigable and did not hold easily accessible copper.

Correct Answer Explanation: Although the Chipewyan Indians had spoken of copper deposits and a navigable river, Hearne found the Coppermine River to be difficult to navigate and not a major source of accessible copper.

What did Hearne observe about the relationship between the Chipewyan and Europeans?

  • The Chipewyan were entirely subservient to the Europeans.
  • The Chipewyan were completely hostile towards the Europeans.
  • The relationship was complex, characterized by both cooperation and conflict.
  • The Chipewyan actively sought to convert Europeans to their beliefs.

Correct Answer: The relationship was complex, characterized by both cooperation and conflict.

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne’s journal details both positive interactions with the Chipewyan, like their assistance in guiding him, and negative interactions, including instances of conflict and distrust.

What was a significant trade good introduced by the Europeans that had an impact on the Chipewyan culture and economy?

  • Spices
  • Tea
  • Tobacco
  • Textiles

Correct Answer: Tobacco

Correct Answer Explanation: The introduction of tobacco by Europeans, which was highly valued by the Chipewyan, impacted their social and economic life. It became a significant item in trade and influenced their social gatherings and customs.

What was the primary means of transportation used by the Chipewyan in the summer months?

  • Dog sleds
  • Horses
  • Canoes
  • Snowshoes

Correct Answer: Canoes

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chipewyan utilized canoes for transportation on waterways during the summer months, utilizing them for hunting and travel.

What significant natural phenomenon did Hearne observe and document in his journal?

  • The aurora borealis
  • A volcanic eruption
  • A solar eclipse
  • A meteor shower

Correct Answer: The aurora borealis

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne documented his observations of the aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, describing its appearance and even noting the sounds associated with it.

What large, shaggy animal was a significant source of food and materials for the Chipewyan?

  • Moose
  • Caribou
  • Musk-ox
  • Bison

Correct Answer: Musk-ox

Correct Answer Explanation: The musk-ox was a crucial source of food and materials for the Chipewyan, providing meat, hide, and bone for tools.

What type of trap did the Chipewyan use to catch deer during the winter?

  • Deer pounds
  • Snares
  • Bow and arrows
  • Nets

Correct Answer: Deer pounds

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chipewyan constructed elaborate deer pounds, large enclosures designed to trap deer, to provide a source of food during the winter months.

Which of the following is an example of a complex and often exploitative aspect of the relationship between the Europeans and the Chipewyan?

  • The exchange of furs for European goods
  • The shared hunting techniques and knowledge
  • The peaceful cohabitation of their settlements
  • The joint expeditions to explore the region

Correct Answer: The exchange of furs for European goods

Correct Answer Explanation: The fur trade was a significant source of income for the Hudson’s Bay Company, but it often resulted in the Chipewyan receiving unfair trade deals and being exploited by the Europeans.

What is the name of the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post where Hearne embarked on his journeys?

  • Fort Chipewyan
  • Fort Churchill
  • Fort Prince of Wales
  • Fort York

Correct Answer: Fort Prince of Wales

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne launched his expeditions to the Northern Ocean from Fort Prince of Wales, a Hudson’s Bay Company post located in what is now Manitoba, Canada.

What was the name of the Chipewyan leader who guided Hearne on his successful journey?

  • Chawchinahaw
  • Matonabbee
  • The Lonely Woman
  • The Conjuror

Correct Answer: Matonabbee

Correct Answer Explanation: Matonabbee was the experienced and resourceful Chipewyan leader who guided Hearne on his third expedition, leading him to the mouth of the Coppermine River.

What is the estimated distance, in miles, that Hearne traveled west from the Hudson Bay coast during his journeys?

  • 100
  • 200
  • 600
  • 1000

Correct Answer: 600

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne traveled an estimated 600 miles west from the Hudson Bay coast during his three expeditions to reach the Coppermine River.

What is the approximate latitude of the mouth of the Coppermine River, based on Hearne’s estimates?

  • 60° North
  • 65° North
  • 68° North
  • 72° North

Correct Answer: 68° North

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the latitude of the Coppermine River’s mouth to be around 68° North, based on his astronomical observations.

What is the name of the large lake in the region that Hearne described as being 120 leagues long and 20 leagues wide?

  • Great Slave Lake
  • Great Bear Lake
  • Lake Athabasca
  • Lake Winnipeg

Correct Answer: Lake Athabasca

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne described Lake Athabasca, a large lake in Northern Canada, as being 120 leagues long and 20 leagues wide.

Which of the following is a word used by the Northern Indians for a knife?

  • Clalte-ad-dee
  • Bafe-hoth
  • Thew-hagon
  • Wish-a-capucca

Correct Answer: Bafe-hoth

Correct Answer Explanation: “Bafe-hoth” was the Northern Indian word for a knife, reflecting the importance of this tool for their survival.

Which of the following is NOT a trade item that Hearne observed being exchanged between the Europeans and the Northern Indians?

  • Guns
  • Iron tools
  • Tobacco
  • Copper

Correct Answer: Copper

Correct Answer Explanation: While copper was the sought-after mineral driving Hearne’s expeditions, it was not a typical item exchanged in trade between the Europeans and the Northern Indians.

Which of the following is an example of a Northern Indian custom or belief that Hearne documented?

  • Their practice of using elaborate costumes for ceremonies.
  • Their belief in the existence of fairies.
  • Their use of herbal remedies for healing.
  • Their tradition of burying their dead in large pyramids.

Correct Answer: Their belief in the existence of fairies

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne documented the Northern Indians’ belief in fairies, which they referred to as “Nant-e-na,” highlighting their unique cultural beliefs and folklore.

What is the name of the Chipewyan woman who was captured by the Athapuscow Indians and survived alone for seven months?

  • The Conjuror
  • The Lonely Woman
  • Matonabbee
  • Chawchinahaw

Correct Answer: The Lonely Woman

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne encountered a Dogribbed Indian woman who had been captured by the Athapuscow Indians and managed to escape and survive alone for seven months, demonstrating her resilience and survival skills.

What is the name of the first trading post established by the Hudson’s Bay Company on Churchill River?

  • Fort Chipewyan
  • Fort Churchill
  • Fort Prince of Wales
  • Fort York

Correct Answer: Fort Churchill

Correct Answer Explanation: The first trading post on Churchill River was established by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1715 and was named Fort Churchill, marking the beginning of their influence in the region.

Which of the following describes the method the Chipewyan used to prepare meat for long-term preservation?

  • Smoking it over a fire
  • Salting it heavily
  • Drying and pounding it
  • Storing it in underground cellars

Correct Answer: Drying and pounding it

Correct Answer Explanation: The Chipewyan used a process of drying and pounding meat, creating a durable food source called “Thew-hagon,” to preserve meat for long periods.

What was the name of the animal Hearne identified as the lesser otter of Canada?

  • Jackash
  • Wejack
  • Ermine
  • Wolverene

Correct Answer: Jackash

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne identified the jackash as a smaller type of otter found in Canada, demonstrating his observations of the diverse fauna of the region.

What was the estimated annual amount of beaver skins traded by the Northern Indians to the Hudson’s Bay Company after they established peace with the Southern Indians?

  • 6,000 made beaver
  • 11,000 skins
  • 15,000 skins
  • 20,000 made beaver

Correct Answer: 11,000 skins

Correct Answer Explanation: The volume of beaver skins traded increased significantly after peace was established between the Northern and Southern Indians, reaching an estimated 11,000 skins annually.

What was the name of the small, smelt-like fish that Hearne observed at Churchill River?

  • Salmon
  • Shees
  • Kepling
  • Walrus

Correct Answer: Kepling

Correct Answer Explanation: The kepling, a small fish similar to smelt, was a source of food at Churchill River, showcasing the diversity of the region’s aquatic life.

Which of the following events did NOT occur during Hearne’s journey?

  • The massacre of a group of Esquimaux
  • The capture of a group of Northern Indians by the Europeans.
  • The desertion of Hearne’s guide, Chawchinahaw
  • The breaking of Hearne’s quadrant

Correct Answer: The capture of a group of Northern Indians by the Europeans.

Correct Answer Explanation: While tensions existed, there is no documentation of a significant capture of Northern Indians by Europeans during Hearne’s journeys.

What is the name of the plant used as tea by Europeans in Hudson Bay, also known as Labrador Tea?

  • Thew-hagon
  • Wish-a-capucca
  • Bafe-hoth
  • Clalte-ad-dee

Correct Answer: Wish-a-capucca

Correct Answer Explanation: “Wish-a-capucca” was the name given by Europeans to a plant, also known as Labrador Tea, used for making a tea-like beverage in Hudson Bay.

What was the name given by the Northern Indians to the Aurora Borealis?

  • Ed-thin
  • Nant-e-na
  • Thew-hagon
  • Bafe-hoth

Correct Answer: Ed-thin

Correct Answer Explanation: The Northern Indians had a specific name for the Aurora Borealis, “Ed-thin,” reflecting their connection to and understanding of this natural phenomenon.

What was the estimated weight of the largest piece of copper Hearne found?

  • 1 pound
  • 4 pounds
  • 10 pounds
  • 20 pounds

Correct Answer: 4 pounds

Correct Answer Explanation: The largest piece of copper Hearne discovered weighed approximately 4 pounds, illustrating that the copper deposits, while present, were not as substantial as initially thought.

What was the estimated width of the Coppermine River, based on Hearne’s observations?

  • 50 yards
  • 100 yards
  • 200 yards
  • 300 yards

Correct Answer: 200 yards

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the width of the Coppermine River to be around 200 yards, providing a sense of the scale of this waterway.

Which of the following is NOT a factor that contributed to the difficulties of navigation on the Coppermine River?

  • Rapid currents
  • Numerous waterfalls
  • Shallow water in certain sections
  • Dense forest growth along the banks

Correct Answer: Dense forest growth along the banks

Correct Answer Explanation: While the Coppermine River was challenging to navigate, it was not due to dense forest growth along the banks. The primary obstacles were rapid currents, waterfalls, and shallow water in certain sections.

What is the name of the lake that Hearne described as being 50-60 miles long and 35 miles wide?

  • Anaw’d Lake
  • Athabasca Lake
  • No Name Lake
  • Pike Lake

Correct Answer: No Name Lake

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne described No Name Lake, a large lake in the region, as being approximately 50-60 miles long and 35 miles wide.

What is the estimated distance, in miles, between the mouth of the Coppermine River and the copper mine that Hearne sought?

  • 10
  • 20
  • 40
  • 60

Correct Answer: 40

Correct Answer Explanation: The copper mine that Hearne sought was located approximately 40 miles from the mouth of the Coppermine River, illustrating the challenging terrain he had to navigate.

What is the estimated width of Anaw’d Lake, based on Hearne’s observations?

  • 5 miles
  • 10 miles
  • 20 miles
  • 30 miles

Correct Answer: 20 miles

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the width of Anaw’d Lake to be around 20 miles, showcasing its size and significance in the region.

Which of the following is a traditional Northern Indian method of fire-making?

  • Using a magnifying glass to focus sunlight
  • Utilizing a hand drill to create friction
  • Striking a match
  • Using a lighter

Correct Answer: Utilizing a hand drill to create friction

Correct Answer Explanation: The Northern Indians traditionally used hand drills, a method of creating friction to generate heat and ignite tinder, for fire-making, showcasing their ingenuity and survival skills.

What is the estimated width of Pike Lake, based on Hearne’s observations?

  • 10 miles
  • 15 miles
  • 20 miles
  • 27 miles

Correct Answer: 27 miles

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne described Pike Lake as being around 27 miles wide, highlighting its size and importance in the region.

What was the name given by the Northern Indians to the Wood Partridge?

  • Ed-thin
  • Day
  • Thew-hagon
  • Clalte-ad-dee

Correct Answer: Day

Correct Answer Explanation: “Day” was the name given by the Northern Indians to the Wood Partridge, reflecting their intimate knowledge and naming conventions for the wildlife in their environment.

What is the estimated width of Island Lake, based on Hearne’s observations?

  • 10 miles
  • 15 miles
  • 20 miles
  • 35 miles

Correct Answer: 35 miles

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the width of Island Lake to be around 35 miles, illustrating its size and significance as a landmark in the region.

What was the estimated number of tents in Matonabbee’s party when they joined Hearne’s expedition to the Coppermine River?

  • 10
  • 20
  • 60
  • 100

Correct Answer: 60

Correct Answer Explanation: Matonabbee’s party, which joined Hearne’s expedition, comprised an estimated 60 tents, highlighting the scale of their collective journey to the Coppermine River.

What is the name of the small bag containing flint, steel, and other fire-making materials that was a common item among the Northern Indians?

  • Thew-hagon
  • Bafe-hoth
  • Skipertogan
  • Clalte-ad-dee

Correct Answer: Skipertogan

Correct Answer Explanation: The Northern Indians carried a small bag called a “Skipertogan” that held essential items for starting fires, demonstrating their practical approach to survival.

What is the approximate distance, in miles, that Hearne estimated the Northern Indians would carry their canoes without using them?

  • 50
  • 100
  • 150
  • 200

Correct Answer: 150

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne noted that the Northern Indians would often carry their canoes for considerable distances, up to 150 miles, over land to reach new waterways, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.

What is the name of the large fish that the Northern Indians referred to as “Shees”?

  • Salmon
  • Sturgeon
  • Whitefish
  • Inconnu

Correct Answer: Inconnu

Correct Answer Explanation: “Shees” was the Northern Indian name for the inconnu fish, a large and important food source for them, illustrating their specific vocabulary for aquatic life.

What is the estimated width of Athabasca Lake, based on Hearne’s observations?

  • 10 leagues
  • 20 leagues
  • 30 leagues
  • 40 leagues

Correct Answer: 20 leagues

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the width of Athabasca Lake to be around 20 leagues, providing a sense of its vast scale and significance as a landmark.

What was the approximate price, in terms of “made beaver,” that the Copper Indians paid the Northern Indians for a hatchet?

  • 100%
  • 500%
  • 1000%
  • 1500%

Correct Answer: 1000%

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne documented a significant price disparity in trade, with the Copper Indians paying 1000% of the value in “made beaver” for a hatchet from the Northern Indians, illustrating the economic inequality present in the region.

What was the estimated annual amount of beaver skins traded by the Northern Indians to the Hudson’s Bay Company before they established peace with the Southern Indians?

  • 1,000 skins
  • 6,000 made beaver
  • 11,000 skins
  • 20,000 made beaver

Correct Answer: 6,000 made beaver

Correct Answer Explanation: The volume of beaver skins traded before the establishment of peace was estimated at 6,000 “made beaver” annually, showcasing the significant role of the fur trade in the region.

What is the approximate estimated distance, in miles, that Hearne traveled from the woods to the mouth of the Coppermine River?

  • 50
  • 100
  • 150
  • 200

Correct Answer: 100

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne traveled an estimated 100 miles from the forested regions to reach the mouth of the Coppermine River, highlighting the distance and challenging terrain he had to navigate.

What is the approximate estimated width of the Northern Indian country, as described by Hearne?

  • 500 miles
  • 1000 miles
  • 1500 miles
  • 2000 miles

Correct Answer: 1000 miles

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the width of the Northern Indian country to be around 1000 miles, providing a sense of the vastness of the territory he explored.

What is the name of the long ornamented pipe stem used in ceremonies among the Northern Indians?

  • Bafe-hoth
  • Skipertogan
  • Clalte-ad-dee
  • Calimut

Correct Answer: Calimut

Correct Answer Explanation: The “Calimut” was a significant ceremonial item among the Northern Indians, used in important rituals and gatherings.

What is the estimated length of Athabasca Lake, based on Hearne’s observations?

  • 60 leagues
  • 90 leagues
  • 120 leagues
  • 150 leagues

Correct Answer: 120 leagues

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne estimated the length of Athabasca Lake to be approximately 120 leagues, highlighting its size and importance as a geographical feature in the region.

What is the estimated weight of 300 beaver skins, as observed by Hearne?

  • 200-300 lbs.
  • 300-400 lbs.
  • 450-600 lbs.
  • 600-800 lbs.

Correct Answer: 450-600 lbs.

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne observed that 300 beaver skins weighed approximately 450-600 lbs., illustrating the volume and weight of furs traded in the region.

What is the name of the soft birch fungus used as tinder for starting fires, as noted by Hearne?

  • Thew-hagon
  • Clalte-ad-dee
  • Bafe-hoth
  • Skipertogan

Correct Answer: Clalte-ad-dee

Correct Answer Explanation: The Northern Indians used a soft birch fungus called “Clalte-ad-dee” as tinder for starting fires, showcasing their practical knowledge of natural materials.

What is the approximate estimated distance, in miles, that Hearne traveled from No Name Lake to Anaw’d Lake?

  • 40
  • 60
  • 80
  • 100

Correct Answer: 80

Correct Answer Explanation: Hearne traveled an estimated 80 miles from No Name Lake to Anaw’d Lake, illustrating the scale of his journey and the distances he covered in exploring the region.

Learn more

Jessmyn Solana

Jessmyn Solana is the Digital Marketing Manager of Interact, a place for creating beautiful and engaging quizzes that generate email leads. She is a marketing enthusiast and storyteller. Outside of Interact Jessmyn loves exploring new places, eating all the local foods, and spending time with her favorite people (especially her dog).

Make a quiz for your business with AI

Use our AI quiz maker to create a beautiful quiz for your brand in a minute.

Make a quiz - for free