The Voyageurs

I was digging around in the National Film Board of Canada's film archives this afternoon, (avoiding writing an essay) and came across this reenactment of the fur trade area. The film describes the life of the Voyageurs.

Cree Hunters of Mistassini

I came across a link to this film on Murat's Paddle making blog. The film was produced by the National Film Board of Canada and depicts three Cree families and how they survive the winter in the James Bay region of Quebec. There are some fantastic images of the tools used and the men using them while hunting and trapping. Of particular interest to me are the variations of snowshoes that were used as well as the hand carved snow shovels that everyone seemed carried with them, their ice chisels used to open holes for fishing and trapping beaver. Their use of the canoe is also interesting in that they paddle well into the winter season even when there is slush and some ice on the water. As a paddle builder and canoeing instructor I found their paddles and paddling technique interesting. The film also portrays the Cree peoples feelings, beliefs, and rituals regarding the land.

I must warn those with weak stomachs about the graphic nature of some of the images in this film. The film portrays real hunting and trapping practices.

Path of the Paddle - Bill Mason

The Path of the Paddle (Solo Basic, Solo Whitewater, Doubles Basic and Doubles Whitewater) series of films produced by Bill Mason in the 1970's and 80's continue to form the foundation of paddling technique and show the skills required by any canoeist to safely navigate on the waterways of the Canadian back country.

Solo Basic


Solo Whitewater


Doubles Basic


Doubles Whitewater

Water Walker - Bill Mason

In his final film, Water Walker, Bill Mason takes us on journey along the north shore of Lake Superior and tells the tale of his great passion and love for the region. He considered this film his masterpiece and this comes across in his video footage as well as the dialogue. Bill Mason is probably the most influential and charismatic character in Canadian canoeing culture, you can learn more about Bill at redcanoe.ca

Cesar's Bark Canoe - Bernard Gosselin

César Newashish was 67 years old when this film was made. On the Manawan Reserve north of Montreal, Cesar demonstrates the dieing art of building a birch bark canoe from only the materials that can be found in the forest. This film has not narrated but has titles in Cree, French and English. This film was produced in 1971 by Bernard Gosselin and the running time is 57 min 55 sec.