Alexander Mackenzie was the first European to cross North America by land. The journey, which took place in 1793, demanded courage and determination and could never have been achieved without the help of the First Nations people. Mackenzie's successful crossing opened up a store of new opportunities for Europeans, but it led to a dramatic invasion of the lives of the Native peoples. Richly detailed and informative sidebars describe the songs of the voyageurs, life in the pays d'en haut, pemmican (a little time reconciles it to the palate), Our Dog (who ran along the shore beside Mackenzie's canoe) and the antics of the infamous Beaver Club.