BERNIER, J.E.

Report on the Dominion of Canada Government Expedition to the Arctic Islands and Hudson Strait on board the D.G.S. "Arctic". [1908-09].

Ottawa. Government Printing Bureau. 1910. 8vo, 23.5cm, The First Edition, xxix,529p., with c.175 plates and illustrations (mainly from photographs by the author) and 4 folding maps, original brown cloth, gilt titles, very good.(ar). Item #42001

The Arctic islands had been transferred to Canada by an Imperial Order-in-Council, on Sept 1st, 1880. After many foreign incursions, between 1898 - 1902, (Robert Peary, Amundsen, and Sverdrup, who claimed 4 major islands for his homeland) prompted Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, to action. First A.P. Low's expedition but it was Bernier who mounted the most extensive campaign to reinforce Canada's dominion over the Arctic. Arctic historian, William Barr, refers to Bernier as "The man who put Canada on the Map". On this expedition, Bernier landed supplies for Dr. Cook at Etah. The "Arctic" then spent the winter of 1908 at Parry's Winter Harbour on Melville Island. They explored Bank's Island and there is discussion of earlier explorations and much Arctic information, including photographs of records found from earlier expeditions by Parry, McClintock, Kellet, McClure, etc. Bernier was one of the earliest and staunchest proponents of Canada's Arctic sovereignty.

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