* Idealistic Vision: Selkirk envisioned a utopian society where Scottish Highlanders could live harmoniously with Indigenous people. He believed that farming the land would create prosperity and peace. He envisioned a community built on mutual respect and shared resources.
* Naïve Approach: His vision disregarded several crucial realities:
* Indigenous Land Rights: He disregarded the fact that the land was already occupied by Indigenous people, the Métis, who had established their own way of life. This led to conflict and ultimately bloodshed.
* Harsh Environment: The Red River Valley was a challenging environment with harsh winters, unpredictable weather, and a reliance on trade with the Hudson's Bay Company. Selkirk's colonists were not prepared for these difficulties.
* Limited Resources: Selkirk underestimated the resources needed to sustain a thriving colony. He overestimated the potential of the land for agriculture and failed to provide sufficient support for his settlers.
* Conflict with HBC: His colony was situated within the territory of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC), which was a powerful and influential entity. This led to constant conflict and competition for resources. His settlers faced attacks and difficulties from HBC employees.
* Failure to Adapt: Selkirk was unable to adapt his plans to the realities of the situation. He was criticized for being inflexible and clinging to his original vision despite facing setbacks and opposition.
Ultimately, while Lord Selkirk's vision was noble, his execution of the plan was deeply flawed. His failure to understand the complexities of the land, the people who lived there, and the realities of the environment led to the Red River Settlement's turbulent early years.