50 Years, 50 Legacies: Isobel Gunn
#19: Isobel Gunn
The life of the Voyageurs was demanding but beautiful, meant for the toughest of men—or was it? There is one story of a woman voyageur, though likely not the only one. This is the story of Isobel Gunn, a young girl who grew up in a poor village in Scotland in the early 1800s. Receiving postcards from her brother George, who had ventured far to join the French-Canadian Voyageurs in the Boundary Waters of Canada, may have been a pivotal moment in her life. He wrote of adventure and wildness, sparking a longing in her heart for more. Determined, Isobel made the bold decision to venture west in 1806. She cut her hair, donned a toque and voyageur’s clothes, and changed her name to John Fubbister.
At 25, she arrived in Montreal at the Hudson’s Bay Company headquarters and signed a three-year contract as a voyageur for eight sterling pounds a year. She carried heavy packs of fur pelts, portaged canoes repeatedly, ate “roux-aboo” (rubaboo stew), smeared bear grease to fend off mosquitoes and black flies.
Being a voyageur was back-breaking, hard work that supported the fur trade network. Paddling across mosquito-infested North Woods in summer and icy lakes in winter, voyageurs faced constant danger. Traveling in large Montreal canoes across Lake Superior, landing at Grand Portage, then shifting to north canoes loaded with trade goods, they paddled 16-hour days. On their return journey – over 1,800 miles – they carried animal pelts including beaver, bear, fox, otter, muskrat, marten, mink, lynx, wolverine, fisher, raccoon, wolf, elk, deer, and buffalo robes. For every portage, the milieux carried at least one 90-pound pack, hiking through the northern woods along the shorelines of the land of lakes, paddling in song with their canoe mates, and smearing bear grease to keep away biting insects.
Some accounts say Isobel – also known as Mary Fubbister – was unmarried, with a scarred face from smallpox. Others believe she joined the Hudson’s Bay Company to be near a loved one from Orkney who was also working there. Over time, as she shared close quarters on canoes and at camps, her true identity was discovered.
Though the details remain unclear, what’s certain is that Isobel faced extraordinary challenges while maintaining her disguise, even carrying a child in secret until she gave birth to a son in December 1807. After years of hard work and dedication, her role with the Hudson’s Bay Company came to an end – not because of her skill or commitment, but because of the societal expectations of the time. Despite this, Isobel’s courage and resilience left a lasting legacy.
In early 1809, Isobel and her son James were forcibly returned to Scotland. What happened in the decades after is largely unknown, with stories woven from fragments of history. Yet Isobel Gunn’s journey remains a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and the quest for adventure in the northwoods of North America.
Check out the full list of our 50 legacies!
This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park by sharing 50 inspiring stories of the people who shaped its legacy. Years, 50 Legacies is a yearlong storytelling series highlighting individuals whose lives are woven into the fabric of the park – whether through conservation work, cultural traditions, recreation, research, or personal connection.
Raise a canteen and celebrate this historic milestone with us at our 50th anniversary website. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories and updates!
