Cesar Newashish facts for kids
Cesar Newashish (1904–1994) was an amazing Atikamekw elder and master canoe maker. The Atikamekw are one of Canada's First Nations peoples. Cesar was born in 1904 in a place called Manawan, Quebec. This community is about 200 kilometers north of Montreal, Quebec.
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Cesar Newashish: Master Canoe Maker
Early Life and Heritage
Cesar Newashish was born in 1904 in Manawan, Quebec. This is a community located far north of Montreal. As an Atikamekw person, he grew up learning the traditional skills of his people. One of these important skills was how to build canoes. These canoes were made from materials found in nature.
Building a Traditional Canoe
In 1971, Cesar went to the Mariposa Folk Festival. This festival celebrates traditional music and crafts. At the festival, Cesar showed everyone how to build a canoe. He used the same methods his ancestors had used for hundreds of years.
He carefully chose natural materials for his canoe. These included birch bark for the outer shell. He used cedar splints for the inside structure. Spruce roots helped to sew the pieces together. Finally, spruce gum was used to seal the seams. This made the canoe waterproof.
Sharing His Craft with the World
After the festival, Cesar Newashish gave his special birch bark canoe to the Royal Ontario Museum. This is a big museum in Toronto, Canada. The canoe was still on display there in 2018. It helps people learn about traditional Atikamekw craftsmanship.
Cesar's amazing work building the canoe was also filmed. It became a documentary movie called "Cesar's Bark Canoe." The National Film Board of Canada released this film in 1971. It shows how skilled Cesar was and how important these traditions are.
A Lasting Legacy
Cesar Newashish passed away in 1994 when he was 90 years old. He left behind a wonderful legacy. His canoe and the film about him continue to teach people. They show the incredible knowledge and artistry of the Atikamekw people.
