Down the Mackenzie and up the Yukon in 1906

"Down the Mackenzie and up the Yukon in 1906" by Elihu Stewart is a recounting of an exciting trip through the far northern parts of Canada during the early 1900s. The story follows the author as he travels the Mackenzie and Yukon rivers, sharing what he sees as he moves through unexplored land. Stewart describes the land, resources, and the ways of life of the native people he comes across, creating a colorful picture of a wild place full of both promise and splendor. The book begins with Stewart recalling a report he wrote earlier for the Canadian government and thanking the people, like Hudson Bay Company members and local natives, who helped him along the way. Starting with thoughts about past explorers, Stewart tells about his plan to travel from Edmonton across northern Canada, going bravely into a wilderness that few people had ever seen before. The beginning parts of the book cover his preparations, time in Athabaska Landing, and the different views and struggles he faces, setting the scene for the rest of his journey.