The Lost Settlers of Vancouver Island

In the second segment of this six-part series, we investigate the mystery surrounding the first Canadians definitively proven to have disembarked on Canadian shores – Chinese sailors and craftsmen brought to Vancouver Island in the 1780s by English mariner John Meares and his North West America Company. Were these settlers enslaved by the Spanish or killed by the Nootka? Or did they intermarry with the natives and form their own clan – the mysterious ‘China Indian’ tribe?

0:00:00 – Anthology of American Strangeness
0:02:16 - Chinese Canadians
0:05:07 – The Nootka Crisis
0:15:45 - The China Indian Tribe

My good friend and fellow researcher, Kevin Guhl, has just published his first book – a collection of forgotten tales from the United States entitled ‘Thunderbirds, Lost Temples and Skeleton Ghosts: An Anthology of American Strangeness, Vol. 1’. If you’d like to get a copy of this book, please check out the links below:

For Americans:

For Canadians:

[HammersonPeters]

This is Part 2 of a 6-part series on Chinese-Canadian mysteries.

You can find Part 3 below:


And you can find the whole series here:

[SusieDaw-ixpv]

I'm unable to come up with a good comment. Recounting injustices men have done to each other, saddens me. God bless the ones, who lived in those days. Thank you for posting this.

[nastytechniquez]

Born and raised in BC and never heard of this. Love learning new things of my home land

[marcoscaba]

Thank you for covering Chinese history in Canada.

[DanRedwater]

Fascinating Hammerson. I was born and raised in BC and have learned so much about its history and people from you. Keep them coming! Thanks.

[savannar]

Thank you for the work you do Hammerson ❤ much appreciated

[ilostmypickle]

Brilliant! The time is past due for us to have opened the doors for learning about our own roots in Canada. There's so much to explore and it's all interesting. Thanks for covering this. I appreciate it.

[timhouston]

Captain Cook sure got around, didn't he? (I'm a skippy) Meares sounded like an interesting guy, at least he spoke well of the Chinese.
But I just can't imagine their descendants eking out a miserable existence in the interior of Vancouver Island. Except now that I've put it in writing, maybe they did.
Or maybe someone got the numbers wrong.
Nootka Sound! You gotta respect Martinez the Spanish Navy officer for his manners.
Great channel!

[davemayers]

Englishman River Falls, and Little Qualicum Falls are well worth a visit, especially after a day or two of heavy rain. Spectacular !!

[tracynorris]

Excellent video. You're brilliant, Hammerson. I appreciate your research on historically important points in your work. I love History ❤
Thanks, Hammerson ❤❤❤

[ricedreem]

Thank you, as a Chinese Canadian these videos mean a lot to me.

[davidlancaster]

Very informative! Thanks for your time and skills HP. Excellent

[klassenrick]

Cheers from Okanagan valley British Columbia 🇨🇦 👍

[Me-eiyd]

7mins ago! Sunday morning cartoons for adults!

[seankennedy]

Have you covered the story you snuck in right at the end? The Horne Lake wild man? Great video btw very interesting! Having been to Nootka Sound it's awesome to imagine all the history there.

[danielviney]

Mr Peters can u please do a bit of research on the lost Aztec gold that was brought to Bellingham bay by a mister Cortez... Please and thanks...

[yvettevitacaponigro]

Thank you for sharing this story with us! ✌🏼🎃

[pyahalexander]

a local tidbit of canadiana for me. Ive been to the japanese areas on van island and I know that there is an old rail line there. Im just strating your video. i am sure I will be more informed in the next 20 mins

[matthewfoxcroft]

Been fishing in Nooka my whole life. Had heard spain and Britain almost went to war over it but never knew any details👍

[greenman]

Mind unveiled did a few very interesting videos on ancient Chinese architecture in North America.