César's Bark Canoe

César's Bark Canoe

César's Bark Canoe
| 57 min
Free
streaming

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This documentary shows how a canoe is built the old way. César Newashish, a 67-year-old Atikamekw of the Manawan Reserve north of Montreal, uses only birchbark, cedar splints, spruce roots and gum. Building a canoe solely from the materials that the forest provides may become a lost art, even among the Indigenous peoples whose traditional craft it is. The film is without commentary but text frames appear on the screen in Cree, French and English.

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César's Bark Canoe, Bernard Gosselin, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • director
    Bernard Gosselin
  • photography
    Bernard Gosselin
  • producer
    Paul Larose
  • sound
    Serge Beauchemin
  • editing
    Monique Fortier
  • music
    Maurice Blackburn
  • re-recording
    Roger Lamoureux
  • participant
    Cesar Newashish
 See also
Crafts
Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis)
All subjects
NFB from Coast-to-Coast: Spotlight on Quebec-Atlantic
All channels
Add a new comment
  • owpeterj

    Merci. A lovely homely outdoor environment. The filming makes it possible to see most of the steps and details involved. César certainly knows his stuff as it's clear that he knows every sizing by rooted insight. A big thanks to those who participated in the production.

    owpeterj, 17 Feb 2017
  • ehajdu70

    I love this film a lot... what a knowledge & incredible workmanship .. just wooow

    ehajdu70, 10 Sep 2016
  • zestyiestofthemall

    ily m8 hopu u have a great day

    zestyiestofthemall, 19 Nov 2015
  • zestyiestofthemall

    GG i love this film so much it truley represent the beutiful things in nature in stuff i think 10 out of 10 GG

    zestyiestofthemall, 19 Nov 2015
  • MCC

    A totally engrossing film that shows the exquisite craftsmanship of Cesar building an open Canadian canoe using traditional resources and skills. And what a beautiful and functional canoe! Awesome!

    MCC, 2 Aug 2015
  • sixam

    I wonder what he did with the rest of the tree.

    sixam, 1 Jul 2015
  • lindsaydobbin

    This is one of my favourite film. There is no narration, and very little dialogue, which feels like a revelation. Especially for a documentary created in 1971 about an Aboriginal person and traditional knowledge. I think the lack of interpretation and the simplicity of this film inspires viewers to be more present. Rather than being caught up in description, we can participate through witnessing César's engagement with the contours and rhythms of the materials and the way life weaves in and out of the entire process.

    lindsaydobbin, 11 Mar 2015
  • old_dame

    Genius.

    old_dame, 20 Jun 2013
  • Darby

    fmarcoux mentioned that his son Louis is caring on his father's tradition of building these beautiful canoes. Does anyone have any idea how to contact Louis? I am trying to show the Native youngsters on the Oneida Settlement near London, Ontario how to build one and I could think of no would more I would like to learn from than his son so I may pass it on. If you have any info you can pass it on to our site at Paddling Back to Traditional Culture on Facebook Thank You

    Darby, 3 Jun 2013
  • CanoeDad

    I stumbled across this beautiful video accidentally and got hooked and watched it to the very end. I am absolutely gobsmacked by the old man's craftsmanship. I wish I was that skilled. I have only just discovered canoeing as my new hobby. I have not yet got my own canoe yet and was thinking of building my own canoe with the stich & glue method. But it will be no means be as beautiful as this one. When he started out on his maiden voyage with his daughter, it made my eyes water. This video is so so beautiful!

    CanoeDad, 6 Sep 2012
  • Dmytro

    This beautiful film represents an important part of Canada's historical heritage that will not be forgotten thanks to this film. We rarely see the man's face while he works consistently and quietly.

    Dmytro, 28 Apr 2012
  • Coventry

    Coventry. Absolute wonderful silent absorption for the children.

    Coventry, 22 Feb 2012
  • carlosporto

    Beautiful amazing skills.

    carlosporto, 30 Jan 2011
  • nativeatheart

    All I can say is WOW!!!...true craftsman...beautiful

    nativeatheart, 9 Dec 2010
  • fmarcoux

    His son Louis is carrying on the tradition in Manouane Québec

    fmarcoux, 24 Nov 2010
  • bush bunny

    What a beautiful little film, are there any craftsmen like him left? I would imagine the woman in the film is his daughter, it's obvious she is very proud of him, especially at the end when she goes for a boat ride to check the fish nets, I hope someone in his family still has that boat or others that he made, any museum would be proud to own it . These are the skills that have gotten lost, an easier lifestyle has taken over for the next generation, and the promise of a better life, but is it? Thank the NFB for preserving this artisan and the magic in his hands, and all of the other films that contain a historical significance.

    bush bunny, 17 Mar 2010

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