Stitchers: Diana Caleb, Karen Lehman, Margaret Preece, Karen Dearborn, Susan Harrington, Shelsey Slipetz, Barbara Gilbert, Johanna Lisakowski (Victoria, BC).
James Douglas was chief factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company when in 1843 he was sent to establish a fort on southern Vancouver Island. Douglas helped the fledging colony secure the area for the British. He was sometimes called “Old Square-toes” because of his stern manner, and became governor of the colony in 1851. Scottish miners were brought to the area to exploit coal discovered at Nanaimo. When New Caledonia on the mainland became British Columbia in 1858, Douglas became governor of that new colony as well retaining his position on Vancouver Island. The two colonies were officially joined in 1866. Acclaimed as the “Father of British Columbia”, Douglas was knighted in 1863.
CA32 An Ridire Seumas Dùbhghlas: Athair BC
Bha Seumas Dùbhghlas na phrìomh mhaor air Companaidh Bàgh Hudson nuair a chuireadh e ann an 1843 a stèidheachadh gearastan ann an ceann a deas Eilean Bhancùbhair. Chuidich Dùbhghlas le bhith a’ stiùireadh a’ choloinidh ùr gus an sgìre a thèarainn do na Breatannaich. B’ e “Old Square-toes” a bhiodhte ag èigheach air uaireannan air sgàth a dhòigh cholganta agus thàinig e gu bhith na riaghlaiche air a’ choloinidh ann an 1851. Chaidh mèinnearan Albannach a thoirt don àite gus buannachd fhaighinn à gual a lorgadh aig Nanaimo. Nuair a dh’atharraich Cailleann Nuadh air tìr-mòr gu Coluimbia Nuadh ann an 1858, fhuair Dùbhghlas dreuchd mar riaghlaiche a’ choloinidh ùir sin a thuilleadh air a dhreuchd air Eilean Bhancùbhair a chumail. Chaidh an dà choloinidh a cheangal ri chèile gu h-oifigeil ann an 1866. Le sàr-chliù mar “Athair Choluimbia Nuaidh”, fhuair Dùbhghlas urram ridire ann an 1863.