American Reacts to Heritage Minutes: Sam Steele, Andrew Mynarski & Elsie MacGill 

The point of the story about Elsie, was the fact that she was, the FIRST FEMALE Aeronautical Engineer, in the WORLD..

Some Americans still try to cross the border with guns. They say they have a permit. It's not valid in Canada of course.

Hi Tyler. I just watched your video about Andrew Mynarski. Andrew tried to help his friend escape the rear turret where he was trapped but was unsuccessful. Andrew crawled back through the burning hydraulic fluid in the rear fuselage of the bomber. Before parachuting out of the crew door, Andrew turned to his friend, saluted him, and exited the Aircraft. When his parachute opened, it was on fire as well as his flight suit. He did land on the ground alive, but died shortly after from his burns. His friend did survive the crash and was able to tell the story of what happened. As a result, Andrew Mynarski was awarded the Victoria Cross, the Commonwealths highest award for bravery! I myself volunteer at a flying museum here in Canada where we have one of only two flying Lancasters in the world. Our Lancaster is painted to look like Andrew's aircraft from the War, and we have a picture of a Victoria Cross medal on the nose of our Lancaster to commemorate Andrew's sacrifice.

The American trying to enter Canada was "Soapy" Smith, a notorious gambler and con artist who, at the time practically ran Skagway, Alaska, the closest American town to the Klondike and the point from which most prospectors entered Canada. Smith was later killed in a gunfight.

Regarding Elsie MacGill, she was admitted to the University of Toronto's Bachelor of Applied Sciences program in 1923. During the summers she worked in machine shops repairing electrical motors to supplement the theory and practical teachings during the school year. It is also here that she became exposed to the nascent field of aeronautical engineering. Contracting polio just before her graduation,[3] MacGill was told that she would probably spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. She refused to accept that possibility though, and learned to walk supported by two metal canes. She became Canada's first woman graduate in electrical engineering.

Canadian here. Thank you for educating yourself above your peers. Been watching you a while and you always make me smile.

Gambler: I’m an American! Steele: You’re not in America. GTFO!!

Elsie didn't disregard the reporters question, she put him in his place with that statement.

I live ten minutes away from a small community called Fort Steele, and every summer we celebrate Sam Steele Days, with carnival rides, concerts, etc.

An American thinking the Klondike is a conspiracy while irresponsibly waiving a gun… ya can’t get any more cliché than that.

Also, in September, 1944, pilots . J.A. Wilding and SGT. J.F. Andrew of No. 426 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, instead of bailing out, remained at the controls of their damaged and bomb laden aircraft and steered it clear of the town of Wallingford (England) to crash and explode in an open field, instead of crashing into the town itself, saving the towns people's lives. Thank goodness otherwise I would not be here today. The crash blew out all the windows of the houses. Wilding is still very much remembered in Wallingford, a street named after him. Now that is a Hero!

American gambler played by Don S. Davis, who also played General George Hammond in "Stargate: SG1." Great American actor.

Hoping he comes to the Billy Bishop moment soon, Canada's greatest air ace. Greetings from PEI 🇨🇦❤️💯

Many Americans did indeed act like the character in the Sam Steele segment.

The one about Sam Steele is among my favorite, along with ''The village'', Samuel De Champlain and the Halifax explosion.

One thing I'm sure Americans are unaware of. Elsie MacGill helped built and deliver 1,400 Hurricanes to the UK. Without the Hurricane backing up the Spitfire, The Battle of Britain would have been lost. Thus, no D Day

Another legendary Canadian from the same era was Jerry Potts. He was a guide, trader, fighter, etc. He once found a lost NWMP patrol and guided them to safety. They then discovered he had been snow blind for the past three days and was guiding them by the feel of the land. When asked why he had two wives he replied " One wife fight with husband, two wives fight with each other."

fun fact: The American is the same actor that played General Hammond in the Stargate SG-1 show. R.I.P Don S. Davis

💙Engineers from Canada were instrumental to the USA's quest to go to the Moon.💙

Sam Steele was also involved in the last military battle fought in Canada at Loon Lake Saskatchewan against the Cree in the Northwest Rebellion . There's ( if I remember correctly) 100 steps up a hill overlooking the battle ground.

I went to Samuel b Steele public school in Scarborough Ontario 🇨🇦, all our rooms were named after places in the Yukon/west

Thank you to everyone who added more information and personal stories to these Minutes.😊 I always thought the Minutes were too short. But there were two reasons, one, they had to fit into the time frame of a TV ad, and second, they made you want to read more about the person or event, which most Canadians did/still do, from age eight to eighty. That's why we're so smart! 😅 🇨🇦

Sir Samuel Seele's story and impact on Canadian history goes way beyond anything one could imagine today. He was a man's man, a truly remarkable human being and hero.

You've sort of met Sam Steele before. I believe you watched the heritage minute where Sitting Bull sought refuge in Canada after the defeat at Little Big Horn. Steele was one of the police in the entourage which protected him when the Americans wanted to take him back over the border. That's just one of the many stories about Steele and his place in Canadian history. I don't know if the story in this minute is true (it probably is), but Steele had many run-ins with Americans when they were setting up 'Rum Forts' in Canada to illegally trade with First Nations people. There are stories of him riding in alone or with 2 or 3 other men to clear out those dangerous forts and send those men back over the border. Steele is one of the reasons a policeman in a red uniform is such a famous image of Canada. His grave is right here in Winnipeg, in the St. John's Cemetery.

I am so happy to see Tyler learning about the Sam Steele story. I live in The Yukon and we know the name of this famous Mountie well here. The Klondike Gold Rush is a very interesting story so I hope Tyler learns more about that historical Canadian event.

Tyler: "Sam Steele (pronounced steel - like the metal) didn't even feel threatened enough to draw his own weapon" Um....Tyler, he was sitting in his office and this is Canada.......the very high likelihood was that he wasn't wearing a weapon

Sam Steele, said steal, there is an old fort in British Columbia, where Sam Steele was stationed prior to his stint in the Yukon, named Fort Steele. It's about a 30 minute drive north of Cranbrook, BC.

Sam Steele once stood down an entire mob by himself on the railhead in Western Canada.

I went to Andrew Mynarski junior high (middle) school in Winnipeg MB. Andrew was quite the hero ❤

I appreciate your reactions to these videos. As a Canadian, I had not yet seen some of these newer Heritage Minutes. Thank you for featuring them! ❤🇨🇦

My junior high school in Calgary was named Sir Samuel Steele Junior High. It was on a military base.

The NWMP (Northwest Mounted Police) was basically the sheriff and ranger of the Canadian west, and later was given Royal by King Edward VII in 1904, and later became the RCMP. During the gold rush, they were the law enforcement group in the Klondike which helped control the people who refused to follow the laws and to keep the peace. With overland travel being very slow (no road went up to the area, and definitely no rail), skagway was often the debark, and went over a mountain ridge into the Yukon. I suggest you look it up.

The Mynarski story hits me hard: My Uncle was a Lancaster co-pilot, shot down and killed over Cologne with his whole crew on 11 April 1943. Now buried in Rheinberg War Cemetary. And the tail-gunner position was well-known to be almost suicidal, as you could not get out unless it was rotated back into the central position. And if the power failed, there was nothing you could do. Maybe Mynarski hoped he could rotate the turret by hand to get his friend out... There are two Lancasters still in airworthy condition: One as part of the RAF Battle of Britain flight in England, the other in the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. They flew the Canadian Lancaster to England back in 2014, and flew the two together quite a few times. For me, the highlight was when they flew through the Lake District (my home) - look up the photos of that event, they're spectacular (such as ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_W58OAVHfvg.html). And a real homage to the crews who flew them, and died in them.

I heard this story a long time ago. Was always proud hearing stories of Canada

Outside of Cranbrook ,B.C. Is a little place called Fort Steele named after Inspector Steele

There are only 2 Lancaster bombers left in the world, one in England and one in Hamilton Ontario (near my home). I have seen it flying over my house. It lives at the Canadian Warplane Museum in Hamilton. They call her Vera

The actor in the Sam Steele vignette is an American Don Davis living and working until his death in Vancouver BC. He played General Hammond in the Stargate TV series.

America has Deadwood, Canada has Dawson. Thankfully Sam Steele was no Dudley Do-Right. Elsie MacGill was right up there with Beatrice Shilling! Elsie MacGill developed polio while she was in university.

My dad flew one of those lumbering beasts. Told me I was lucky to be here at all. There's a Lancaster mounted on a concrete support in a Toronto park on Lake Ontario.

💙The Lancaster bomber was produced by Avro. The Lancaster would be constructed in many versions in Great Britain and Canada. The number produced remains unknown but the majority of authors set it at 7,377. In addition to the bomber, a transport aircraft was designed, based on the bomber, named the AVRO York of which 250 were produced.💙

I remember the second one quite well when it aired, turns out I have a relative who was a tail gunner on Lancasters, KIA June 4, 1944.

"Do Canadians see us that way?" He says, needing a shave. All kidding aside, my Grandfather was driving to Banff from BC to Alberta in July in the seventies, picked up a pair of American hitchhikers wearing parkas, and explained that yes, they were in Canada, and no, there is no snow everywhere after you cross the border.

Sam Steele was a remarkable man. He was known for his heroic deeds before he got to the Klondike, and he continued them after he left. If his picture is not next to “Badass” in the dictionary, it should be.

Andrew Mynarski was born here where I live - Winnipeg, Manitoba. 🇨🇦 The Maple Leaf Forever! ❤️

Story: My wife and I went to Hawaii on our Honeymoon. While we were on Maui, we went to the Old Lahaina Luau. They sat us at a big rectangle table with 3 other couples. There were two older couples there, one from Texas and one from Florida who seemed to know each other. We were chatting and it came up we were from Canada. The Texan then said, "I suppose you wouldn't have any cows in Canada on account of it being too cold!"

Canadians are Badass, thank you very much 😂

As a point, in Canada when a Police man touches your shoulder...you are considered under arrest no words needed! Sam Steele was a really tough man, first commissioner of the RCMP (RNWMP) and also was a Army General (Kept leaving his job to go to war). And yep that mustache is legendary.

My great grandfather was one of the original 300 NWMP. Sir Sam Steele is indeed a legend and almost unbelievable in his deeds and life. They don't make them like that nowadays, which is a shame as we could use men like him today. Have a look at the Sitting Bull Heritage Minute clip, more NWMP history.

Alot of great topics in our Canadian Heritage Moments - you need to check out the ones about the Avro Arrow

Sir Sam Steele was the first Commanding Officer of My unit, which is currently Canadas only tank regiment

The actor who played the American was the actor who played General Hammond in the tv series Stargate SG1.

My husband’s great uncle was a navigator on a Lancaster bomber. He was shot down and did not survive. Being a Canadian, I too appreciate you learning about our country as well as Great Britain. FYI. A lot of things you learn about Breat Britain, I.e. Yorkshire pudding etc., are also well known in Canada.

The Lancaster bomber flies over my house often going to shows or giving visitors a ride. Flies along the shore of Lake Ontario…it’s noisy !!❤

From grade 4 to 7, I went to a school named after Mynarski. Mynarski Park School on an Airforce Base in Alberta Canada. Sadly the base closed decades ago and the school was demolished for housing.

You have never heard of a Lancaster Bomber?

Good morning. I, whom is Canadian, loves how you learn many things about Canada and her citizens. I do believe though that the United States also have many history making citizens and events as well. I also love these Heritage Minutes. Enjoy the rest of your day. By the way Love all your videos.

There is a Fort in south eastern BC named after Sam Steele. Outside Cranbrook. ( Our grade 7 classes got to travel the 3.5 hr to tour the Fort. This was in the 70's😊. )

I grew up within walking distance of where Sam Steele was born and grew up out in rural Medonte (at the time, now Oro-Medonte) Township. I didn't think much of it back then but he was pretty cool! I used to stop for a rest on bike rides/walks/etc at a little gazebo thing with a picnic table and a plaque about him near my property.

I am happy to say my granddaughter attends the new and beautiful Elsie McGill school in Thunder Bay. First public school here named after a woman. Their mascot in the Hurricane.

One of our high schools in Winnipeg is named after war hero Andrew Mynarski.

💙She designed the Hurricane.💙

There are a handful of stories out there of stuck tail gunners surviving the crash, usually involves the plane coming in at a shallow angle and the tail section coming off with the gunner still inside and by sheer luck the tail got thrown clear of the wreck.

My father was an RCAF Fighter Pilot who flew Spitfires, Hurricanes and Mosquitos between 1939-1944. He was discharged from service because he was still alive.

The actor who played the american is the same person who played general Hammond from stargate sg1.

Thousands of Americans went to the Klondike in the Yukon during the gold rush.

I live in WInnipeg we have a Mynarski Park and I have seen Sam Steele's grave marker at St John Cemetary.

Sam Steel is a true legend in Canada

I was in the hospital in the seventies and was put in with a man who was getting his second leg amputated. He told me it was from lack of circulation brought on by spending too much time in a freezing cramped gunner bubble.

I live in Cranbrook BC, which is only 15 minutes away from Fort Steele. My paternal grandmother was born and lived in Fort Steele when it was still a town, and before the entire town became a museum. Other historically significant Canadian ancestors of mine are Attorney General Henry Pering Pellew Crease and the botanist John Lindley (great-great and triple-great grandfathers on my paternal grandfather's side)

Tyler, you're great buddy! Your ignorance makes me laugh, but that's why you make these Videos. I appreciate everything you're doing. I am Johnny Sweetdreams from B.C Canada. Keep up the good work Sir!! CHEERS

I really enjoyed your video and comments plus learning more and remembering things about the world around me.

I was a student at Sir Sam Steele school and yes you pronounced his name right.

This is such a great series!

There is a mistake in the last clip with Elsie MacGill. It says Thunder Bay Ontario 1940 but Thunder Bay did not come into existence until the 1970's. Prior to this it was twin cites Fort William and Port Arthur.

The actor playing the gambler is General Hammond of Stargate fame.

haha Don S. Davies he was so great in Stargate SG1

I lived in a town named Cranbrook British Columbia. It is a town in south east British Columbia near the Alberta border. Sam Steele was a big part of founding the community. Every year they celebrate him in a community event called Sam Steele days. It’s a huge deal. There is still a heritage town near there called fort Steele near the town that is open to this day for tours. Train rides. Blacksmith. Horses. Old buildings. Theatre. It’s really popular and cool.

Alan Scarfe, a British-Canadian actor, played Sam Steele.

Check out Alexander Mackenzie, the first European to cross the North American continent north of Mexico. He accomplished this feat 11 years before Lewis and Clark. Unlike the later, Mackenzie didn't have a big, well financed expedition. He accomplished much of the journey with his guide and a large dog.

There's a statue in his memory at his air force base in the UK. Many of us grew up watching these while we were still young. These heritage moments didn't hold back.

React to slednecks if u like rockies mountains!

In the sam steele episode, the American gambler was played by the late great actor Don S. Davis, best known for playing General Hammond on Stargate Sg1.

By the way my name it’s. Gaëtan Prudhomme from Thurso Québec Canada. And I was so proud to been a simple military man in the aviation at Moose Jaw Saskatchewan Canada. We called this Training. The one of the biggest training bases for British and American new pilots fighting and bombers people all around the world specifically at the Second World War and the air training base was. The Big Two

The RCAF has a “Mynarski, VC Memorial Trophy” which is Canad’s highest award for excellence in the field of Search and Rescue.

Could Andrew have actually saved his friend's life by staying on the plane? See I've got a different take on the "Andrew stayed on the plane" situation. Andrew stayed on the plane because he didn't want to leave his trapped friend. His trapped friend miraculously survived the plane's impact with the ground. Andrew did not. If Andrew had jumped out of the plane and parachuted to safety would his friend trapped in the tail turret have miraculously survived? Think about it now. The guy trapped in the tail turret survived because the plane impacted the ground in a manner perfectly suited for him to survive - highly improbable. The circumstances that led to that improbable outcome were a function of many factors, including the plane's weight distribution. If Andrew had jumped from the plane it would have changed one of the factors that led to the improbable outcome - Andrew's weight and its location would not have been influencing the plane's final trajectory on impact. It would have hit differently, almost certainly. The improbable result would not have occurred because the factors that were necessary for its realization would not have been present. There's a very good chance that Andrew saved his friend's life by staying on the plane, even though that's not what Andrew was aiming for. Incredible.

Check out The Avro Arrow. Canadian jet fighter

You laugh now, but if you ever watch SG-1, you'd realize that Don S. Davis (The American in Sam Steele's Heritage minute) is a well-versed actor and very capable of playing serious and silly in the same breath (Season 3 premiere in particular).

The one about Andrew Mynarski always resonates with me. My grandfather flew in Lancaster bombers, as the radio operator, during WWII. Apparently, they narrowly escaped a few situations. Not sure if any were quite like this.

The RCMP used to be paramilitary and when war was declared numerous of them would switch to the military services. Up to 1931 and The Statute of Westminster, we were obliged to provide troops if London declared war. But the Canadian Army was so impressive in WWI that we ended up as signatories of the Treaty of Versailles and joined The League of Nations. The only 'colony' doing so. Almost triggered war with Mussolini over his bombing of Ethiopia.

Tyler, did you know that in Winnipeg there is a street now named Valour Rd. originally named Pine St. I believe. Look it up in the Heritage Minutes. It will explain the reason for the change in name. Basically, there were three veterans who all lived on Pine Street who were all awarded the Medal of Valour.

Love the content brother keep up the great work:)

Fort Steele, somewhat near to Cranbrook, BC is actually the BEST "historical reenactment" town I've ever visited!... I'm a professional historian.

It bothers me how surprised he is when he learns about all the incredible things that Canadians have done.

There are a great many stories about Sam Steele and his deputy Sergeant Fury (real name). He was part of the first Mounties who rode west in 1873. He was involved in most of the important events in the history of the Canadian west from escorting Sitting Bull and his men back across the border to the US, dealing with the strike by railroad workers building the CPR, and helping to put down the second Northwest Rebellion.

When a Lancaster bomber does a flyover you know it. Your whole chest trembles with the roar of those engines.

JUST LET THE VIDEO PLAY!!!

Back in grade 6 my class had an educational video game about the Yukon gold rush, and it wasn't half bad. Thinking back on it, I realize I really sucked at that game.

Wow!!! Andrew was a true hero!!!

The average life span of a Lancaster tail gunner was 6 missions. A member of our men's group at my church was a tail gunner in the RCAF in WW2. He did 13 missions and survived. 17k Canadians served as aircrew in Bomber Command. Just under 10k died. If your Lancaster was hit, you only had a 15% chance of bailing out.

Elsie McGill contracted polio that is why she walked with 2 canes