Angel Of Hudson Bay: The True Story of Maud Watt

by William Ashley Anderson

This is the remarkable story of Maud Watt who, as a bride of eighteen, set off for the wilds of Ungava Bay with her husband, an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company. It tells of the rugged life she led in Canada's far north and of her devoted work for the Indians on Hudson Bay. It tells of the dangerous, month-long trip she made over snow and ice to Quebec to persuade the government to lease her some territory around Rupert House for a beaver preserve, a move that was essential if the Cree Indians in the area were to be saved from starvation.

177 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book about a young woman who moved with her husband to the far north of Canada. At a time when most white people either patronised the indigenous people or treated them with contempt, it was refreshing to read how Maud and her husband Jimmy treated everyone as equals, welcoming everyone into their home as friends, regardless of their ethnicity. This was something that didn't go down well with white people who believed in their own superiority, and the Watts experienced some opposition for their views. The book tells of Jimmy and Maud's efforts to establish a sustainable business in the area, so that the community would have enough to live on without being dependent on the Hudson Bay Company's credit system. It also covers Maud's life after her early widowhood, of her fight to be able to remain in the area she regarded as home, and how she spent the rest of her life there.

NB: This book was published in 1961, so uses 'Indian' and 'Eskimo' where today 'First Nations' and 'Inuit' would be considered more appropriate.

[Gabriel Picotin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sans l’ombre d’un doute ma lecture la plus inspirante de l’année ! L’histoire de Maud et Jim Watt semble invraisemblable, des gens qui ont été à l’encontre de toute autorité, si grande soit-elle, parce qu’ils aimaient leur communauté et leur environnement et qu’ils portaient en eux l’intégrité la plus complète. Sans hésiter et à plusieurs reprises, ils font le choix de mettre leur vie en danger parce qu’ils jugent que c’est ce qu’il faut faire. Maud Watt est un exemple de grandeur et de générosité surhumain, un vrai monument du courage des gens d’ici. À chaque fois que j’aurai peur d’entreprendre quelque chose de bien, je penserai à l’ange de la baie d’Hudson