La première canadienne du Nord-ouest

Born in 1782 in the small town of Maskinongé, Marie‑Anne Gaboury spent her youth within the quiet walls of a presbytery, learning the routines of domestic service. At fourteen she left home to assist the parish housekeeper, leading a secluded life that would soon be upended by the call of adventure.

In 1806 she married the fur trader Jean‑Baptiste Lajimonière and, driven by devotion, set out for the remote Red River settlement in the Northwest. For twelve years she traversed endless prairies and dense forests on foot and horseback, enduring harsh weather, scarce supplies, and the constant threat of conflict among Indigenous nations. Her resilience allowed her to support her husband’s trading ventures while caring for a growing family in a world far removed from the comforts of the settled south.

The biography paints a vivid portrait of a woman whose courage and endurance helped shape early Canadian frontier life. Listeners will hear firsthand accounts from descendants and contemporaries, offering an intimate glimpse into the daily struggles and quiet triumphs of a true pioneer.