Please note this page may no longer be up to date. For new stories about Northern Ontario visit us here.
DON'T MISS THIS SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY
The Jiimaan Project gives you the opportunity to experience the construction of a Gitigan Ziibi-style birch bark canoe and to learn about Indigenous canoe-making traditions while visiting the Canadian Canoe Museum, an engaging, family-friendly place that explores Canadian history told through the canoe.
Chuck Commanda, grandson of the late Algonquin elders and honoured canoe builders William and Mary Commanda, is one of the few practicing First Nations birch bark canoe makers. He will be demonstrating traditions and techniques of traditional canoe building, which are a celebration of a complex and ancient relationship with familiar landscapes and waterways.
The Canadian Canoe Museum is located at 910 Monaghan Road, Peterborough.
CELEBRATING THE CANADIAN CANOE CULTURE IN ONTARIO
The Canoe is a film documenting five different stories of Ontarians who have connected to the natural environment, each other, and themselves through paddling. The segment from the film below features Gail Bannon, who is teaching Indigenous youth at Fort William First Nation how to build a birch bark canoe. Read their story of how they experience the deeper meaning of learning a traditional craft.
Recommended Articles
9 of the Most Beautiful Fall Destinations
Fall Outdoor Adventures in Ontario
2026 Triathalons
Natural Highs
Algonquin Park Guide
Visit Killbear Provincial Park
Bundle up for Snowy Horseback & Sleigh Rides
Attention Detroit
Where to See Ontario's Coolest Wildlife
Crown Land Camping
Backpacking Trails in Ontario
Get Hooked in Algonquin
Best Winter Getaways in Ontario
Rock Climbing
Discover Hardy Lake Provincial Park
25 Adventurous Fall Activities in Ontario
Can't-Miss Skating Trails & Outdoor Rinks
Hike The Best Trails
Canoeing in Toronto