A Continent and Its Peoples

These four stamps, the first in a series, honour discoverers of Canada who stand in the forefront of those who have risked everything to discover the unknown. Some 12,000 years ago, Canada's first explorers arrived here from Siberia, via Alaska. As the huge glaciers covering much of Canada retreated, these first people and their descendants discovered and occupied the entire continent. Artist Frederick Hagan of Newmarket, Ontario, painted the four images. Through landscape, maps and other cultural objects, these stamps present a variety of moods, characters and experiences rather than a literal approach to the subjects. J.F. Britton of Oakville worked with the artist on developing the typography for the stamp designs.