Internationally renowned author, historian and naturalist, Jack Nisbet, to give a presentation

On Wednesday, September 7th, residents of Cranbrook and the East Kootenay will have the opportunity to learn about one of the area's most important historical confluences—the coming together of European and First Nation societies.

Award-winning author, historian and naturalist Jack Nisbet will give a presentation about David Thompson’s arrival and exploration of the Kootenays, placing particular emphasis on the significance of his meeting with the native peoples of this region.

The theme of Jack Nisbet’s discussion will be, “Confluence of Cultures: Bicentennial of David Thompson's Meeting with Kootenay First Nations.” The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Cranbrook Public Library's conference room. Admission is free and open to the public.

Following the presentation, audience members will have an opportunity to question Nisbet and examine copies of his books. Jack Nisbet is one of the leading authorities on David Thompson and his historical significance in the Pacific Northwest. Personally signed copies of his award-winning books will be available for sale.

It is being staged at this time because on September 5, 1811, Thompson and his crew arrived at the confluence of the Columbia and Kootenay rivers just after 1 p.m. By this time, Thompson had already journeyed to the mouth of the Columbia River and was heading upstream to solve the final piece of the puzzle regarding the course of the river.

A couple of Thompson’s men explored some distance up the Kootenay River during the afternoon, looking for food as everyone was weak from their travel diet. At about 5 p.m. a group of First Nations people arrived in eight canoes with a present of salmon and berries and offers to trade bear’s fat, meat and roots, for which Thompson and his crew were very grateful.

This encounter's 200th anniversary brought together two societies and, it is hoped, will bring you out to learn more about the region's history.

The event is being organized by history instructors from College of the Rockies (COTR) and Selkirk College with the support of  COTR's Faculty Development Fund Guest Lecture Series and the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance.

Jack Nisbet is a teacher, naturalist and writer who lives in Spokane, Washington. His six award-winning books include The Collector: David Douglas and the Natural History of the Northwest; The Mapmaker’s Eye: David Thompson on the Columbia Plateau; Sources of the River: Tracking David Thompson across Western North America; Visible Bones: Journeys through Time in the Columbia River Country; Singing Grass, Burning Sage: Discovering Washington’s Shrub-Steppe; and Purple Flat Top: In Pursuit of a Place.

Theme: Confluence of Cultures: Bicentennial of David Thompson's Meeting with Kootenay First Nations

Presenter: Internationally acclaimed author Jack Nisbet

Date: Wednesday, September 7th

Time: 7 pm

Place: Cranbrook Public Library – Conference Room

Admission: Free and open to public

For more information call Marcel Dirk, 250-489-2751 ext. 3320, Cranbrook Public Library 250-426-4063 or Keith Powell, 250-426-7253. For more information about Jack Nesbit visit his website.