In July and August 1948, Jacques Rousseau explores the western part of Ungava from Fort Chimo (now Kuujjuaq). He will come down the Payne river to Payne Bay (later called Bellin) and then travel up the Payne Lake, the largest body of fresh water on the west coast of Hudson Bay, and the river Kogaluk. The geographer Pierre Gadbois, the French ethnologist Jean Michea and the French geologist Edgar Aubert de la Rue are accompanying him. This is the first group of white people to visit this region.

With the help of native guides, they will discover Palaeoeskimo Dorset archaeological ruins.