User:Erinparent/sandbox

Peer Review
I think that your article looks like it's going to contain a lot of information - that's awesome! But I would be wary about the language that's used; the articles are meant to be unbiased and have a total lack of argument or 'thesis'. You've done a good job so far, but I could potentially see how it could end up be writing with a thesis in mind. I also think that, if you can find it, some points about his interaction with the Indigenous populations on his expedition would be crucial. I think that you've definitely conquered some important aspects of his life, understanding his early life as well as the movements of the expedition are pivotal in understanding why Hind was so important in the development of Western Canada. I have never heard of this guy, and he seems interesting, can't wait to read! Delaniestrath (talk) 16:48, 14 February 2018 (UTC)

Article Evaluation - Cumberland House, Saskatchewan
Overall, this article combines a good amount of information on the Cumberland House in Saskatchewan. Cumberland House was one of the first main fur trade posts in the western interior used by the Hudson's Bay Company in the mid-18th century. This article covers a good amount of information about the history of the fur trade in relation to Cumberland House. Where it is biased is in that the history of white fur traders is overrepresented. Names like the Frobisher Brothers and Samuel Hearne and mentioned frequently while Indigenous traders disappear entirely. In addition to this, the only mention of Indigenous involvement and history in relation to Cumberland House is through mentions of Cumberland House Cree Nation in an entirely modern respect. This is biased because Indigenous individuals and groups were present in the history of Cumberland House and the fur trade as a whole.

The sourcing in this article could also use some work. For example one of the citations used for the Fur Trade Depot section was compiled in 1930. While this may be the only public information available, it is very outdated. While all the links for sources do work, there are only four listed. In my opinion for an article of this length and depth there should be more, especially when it is covering such a large time period. I also believe that there are some citations missing. For example the author states that the the strip of land between the Saskatchewan River and Cumberland Lake is much wider today because of changing lake levels, but does not cite where this information came from. The author also makes claims without proper sourcing or supporting information. For example the author states that they believe that the first European visitors were probably Coureurs des bois who left no records. Without supporting evidence or proper citation this information should be removed.

In conclusion I believe that overall this article provides useful information that combines the history of the house itself as well as the area which enables the reader to obtain further understanding and ask more historical questions.

Assignment #5 - Draft Your Article (Henry Youle Hind)

Within this assignment I hope to accomplish many things. The current Wikipedia article on Henry Youle Hind is lacking comprehensive information on his early life, early career and any information about his later life with exception to his date of death. In addition to this, the current article only provides a brief description of his participation in the Red River Expedition of 1857. To augment this article I plan to discuss his early life and education which many scholars have argued were fundamental to his later role as the geologist and naturalist of the expedition to Red River. I will also aim to discuss the movements of the expedition as they pertain to Hind as well as any fundamental moments and findings from the expedition. To compare Hind to broader themes and events in the history of western Canada I will include information on the prairie west and the results of other expeditions such as the one led by Palliser from 1857-1860. Although not entirely permanent to the History of Western Canada, I will also seek to provide information on Hind's later life and career on the east coast.