Nechako Country: In the Footsteps of Bert Irvine

The indomitable spirit of Bert Irvine is at the heart of Nechako Country, a story that provides a glimpse into a simpler world in simpler times. After Bert moved his young family from Barrhead in north-western Alberta to Vanderhoof in central British Columbia, the Upper Nechako country and the Nechako River became an integral part of their lives. Bert's life was and still is intertwined with the wilderness, and the country itself is a major player in this tale. Spanning 1934 to 2005, a period of unprecedented and fast-paced change, much of the story focuses on the '50s and '60s. As the wilderness way of life continues to be replaced by a new world of high technology, and the wilderness itself is pushed back and badly bruised, Nechako Country provides a window into the past and a lifestyle that has all but vanished. In part the story of one man's journey through life as a trapper, guide-outfitter and jack-of-all trades, it is also a history of the Upper Nechako Valley and its people. And, possibly most importantly, it is the story of the tortured Nechako River, the lifeblood of the beloved Nechako country.