High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Donald Mackenzie (June 15, 1783 - Jan. 20, 1851) was a Scottish-Canadian explorer, fur trader and Governor of the Red River Settlement from 1821 to 1834. Born in Scotland, Mackenzie emigrated to Canada about 1800. He is related to several other distinguished MacKenzies in Canadian history. He and two or three of his brothers became involved in the fur trade and were engaged with the North West Company. In 1810, he left the employ of the North West Company to become a partner in the Pacific Fur Company, financed principally by John Jacob Astor.