John Rae Society ' Fit for the Future' Oral Histories Pilot

Elder Archaeology, CIC recently led a National Lottery Heritage Fund–supported pilot project with the John Rae Society, exploring the historic connection between the Orkney Islands and Canada through the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) fur trade.

Dr Colin Elder (Project Manager) and Jenny Addis (Project Lead) travelled across mainland Orkney, collecting oral histories from local families whose ancestors worked for the HBC. Many of these ancestors settled in Northern Canada and contributed to the development of communities there.

The project highlighted the cultural exchange between Orcadian people and Indigenous communities, capturing stories of labour, communication, conflict, and family life across the Atlantic.

Elder Archaeology facilitated public consultations, school sessions, and multimedia outputs, including short videos documenting the interviews. By combining rigorous historical research with engaging storytelling, the project preserved personal and community histories, connected people across generations, and celebrated the enduring link between Orkney and Canada. The work continues to reveal the rich and complex legacy of the Orcadian workforce, offering insights into both local heritage and transatlantic cultural connections.