Making

Explore Fijian, Haida, and Squamish canoe-making traditions.

Discover how canoes are made, who is making them, and why they are still made today.

Semiti Cama with apprentice Peniasi Namasi

Fiji

Master canoe carver Jitoko Moceibure shares where he is from and how he learned to carve canoes. See additional videos related to Fijian canoe making in the Evidence section.

Reg's Personal Photos

Haida

Reg Davidson, a well-known Haida artist, carved a canoe at the Headlands Centre for the Arts in Sausalito, California in 1988. In this short video, Reg tells us how he made the Yalth Tluu (Raven Canoe), his inspiration for the design, and how this canoe documents part of Reg’s family history. See additional videos related to Haida canoe making in the Evidence section.

NVM Archival Photo Carving

Squamish

Squamish carver Ray Nataoaro shares how he learned to make canoes and his thoughts on the importance of canoe culture today for First Nations. See additional videos related to Squamish canoe making in the Evidence section.