This Story is Archived
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

Visit the Canadian Canoe Museum prior to October 2, 2017, to experience the Jiimaan Project.

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. 

About Trish Manning

Trish Manning is an adventure travel writer and the content coordinator for Ontario Outdoor Adventures. She is an avid outdoor person who loves to hike, paddle, SUP, snowshoe, cross-country ski and explore Ontario's great outdoors with her golden retriever, Daisy.

Recommended Articles

Best Small Towns in Ontario

These 9 communities are gateways to outdoor adventure.

Need to Escape?

Wabakimi is your answer.

Planning a Staycation?

Find out how to travel safely in Ontario during COVID-19.

Birding Hotspots

Spring Migration Festivals

Easy Adventure Vacations From Ottawa

6 packages that’ll get you out the door and into nature.

Rise and Glide

Where to go X-country skiing this winter

Best overnight hikes

5 Weekend Adventures To Satisfy Your Soles

Connected by canoeing

A father-daughter adventure

Want to kayak with caribou?

Go to Slate Islands

Canoes and Art?

Find out how they are connected.

A Whitewater Awakening

Teaming up on the Brightsands River

Celebrating the canoe

Should it be on our flag instead of the maple leaf?

No roughing it on this guys getaway

In the wild with style

Skills Video: How to launch & land with style

Get tips from Ontario Sea Kayak Centre

Video: Feel the rush

Learn how to run a waterfall & punch holes

Tired of Traffic jams?

Escape to an island where cars are not allowed

60 Rugged KMs with kids?

Jen did it. Would you?

SPring Wildflower Glory

Best places to see them

Cold nights

Equals fast trails

Whats The Ultimate GoPro Test?

Whitewater rafting