It is a pity that most Canadians are unaware of their history. The most misunderstood reality is the fact that Canada was founded primarily by entrepreneurs.

Canada was originally the name of a French colony that consisted of what is now Québec and southern Ontario.

Two of the most influential entrepreneurs were Pierre-Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart, Sieur des Groseilliers. These entrepreneurs were trappers who found an area near Hudson Bay that had an overwhelming number of beavers.

Beavers were popular at the time because they provided waterproofed top hats that gentlemen wore at this time.

When these two entrepreneurs arrived Marquis d'Argenson, the Governor of Canada, confiscated some of their pelts and jailed Groseilliers for trading without a licence. Consequently these entrepreneurs sought backers in the Boston area, and London. In London they were able to find backers due to another entrepreneur, His Highness Rupert, Prince of the Rhine.

Prince Rupert was instrumental in securing a Royal Charter as the Company of Adventurers on 2nd May 1670. This was granted by H.R.H. Charles II, by the Grace of God, King of England, etc. London financiers were interested in this new enterprise. It became known as the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). You may still shop at Hudson's Bay today.

HBC had decided that it would be more profitable if they traded with the various indigenous communities. Radisson and Groseilliers were granted Royal protection, and received a weekly pension of 2 pounds sterling (equivalent to approximately $430).

The Royal Charter granted HBC an unknown parcel of land. Since Prince Rupert was the first Governor (equivalent of CEO) the HBC land was called Rupert's Land. Rupert's Land was approximately three million square miles (3,000,000 sq. mi.). This would rank as one of the largest countries in the world today. Canada, with approximately three million eight hundred and forty-nine square miles (3,849,000 sq. mi.), is the second largest country in the world today.

HBC successfully traded goods such as point blankets for beaver pelts with the indigenous communities. The time required to manufacture a product for HBC, such as a point blanket, was actually longer than the time required for the indigenous people to trap a beaver. HBC dealt with their trading partners in an ethical manner.

HBC had entrepreneurs working for them so they responded to the practical and spiritual needs of the indigenous people of the plains. Each community of the indigenous people in Rupert's Land were different in many ways. HBC's entrepreneurs respected all of the differences in each community.

Colours have tremendous significance for virtually every indigenous community's ethos. HBC respected the fact that some of the indigenous people wished colours that related to their spirituality. HBC's entrepreneurs respected the idiosyncrasies, ethos and values held in every community.

The indigenous people started wearing the point blanket as a type of coat where they wrapped the blanket around the body. As a result of having entrepreneurs HBC was able to develop the Bay Coat from the same material as the point blanket. Entrepreneurs always seek opportunities to expand their products. The Bay Coat is making a comeback at Hudson's Bay.

HBC encouraged their staff entrepreneurs to seek out ways of finding new products. Through discussions with the various indigenous people it was discovered that a substance from the beavers' scent glands (castoreum) produced acetylsalicylic acid (commonly referred to as ASA or aspirin) for medicinal purposes. HBC's entrepreneurs found that this was an additional product that could come from the beaver. Acetylsalicylic acid could be used to cure headaches.

This is just one example of how two Canadian entrepreneurs were able to establish an empire, Rupert's Land. Rupert's Land became a part of the Dominion of Canada in 1870.

Entrepreneurs can be proud of our legacy in establishing Canada.

As an ethicist I recognize the significance of entrepreneurship to the Canadian ethos. It is my hope to submit further highlights on entrepreneurs in Canadian history.