Down North

This short film serves as a report on sub-Arctic developments in the 1.3 million square km District of Mackenzie. In communities such as Hay River, Yellowknife and Port Radium, modern technology and methods of winter transport opened up new possibilities in mining, lumber, and other industries, and new opportunities for the local populations.
Directed by Hector Lemieux - 1958 | 30 min
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[@captindo]

I'm glad to see archived footage getting digitized like this. Hard life up there for sure.

[@JimmyMatis-h9y]

life's hard everywhere just in different ways. life isn't so comfortable as it is in the temperate region for sure though! being born in a place helps immeasurably (I lived in the tropics for 10 yrs, went super native (flat with no AC), became fluent in the language & conversant in 2 dialects....I was _home_ but though I wouldn't _feel_ hot I'd be steady sweating at least a little whenever it's >95°F (just over body temp °C 😋). I got tired of being wet when I had to go out in more than shorts & a polo shirt. it's weird how in every other way one can adapt and even thrive but 100% 'conversion' to a very foreign climate (including altitude, we can't match the red blood count they have inherited; their blood is 'perma-doped'🚵🏻🚴🏻😋) isn't likely to happen. on 2nd thought, it's not weird as there's definitely genetic differences between ppl from different climates but it did stand out to me having experienced it first hand! 😅🫠😊✌️

[@yako0000]

absolutely priceless video. glad to see it online.

[@Canadiste]

I am an inhabitant of Fort Smith, NT. How wonderful to see this documentary. Thank you 😊 And the music is so enticing ! 😅

[@m____w____6981]

The music is fantastic. The harps and violins are just great.

[@SwampDonkey530]

I wish there was more shows like this out there 👍

[@mercurioart169]

Canadian education at it's finest

[@chrisbrady-t1u]

I love that industrial movie music

[@blackthunder7342]

I like how they're just flying around with uranium in 50 gallon drums that seems real safe

[@AwesomeSheep48]

Black Thunder what is the time stamp?

[@adamwatson2914]

Lol oh god that cornball music is doing my head in

[@tristans.mitchell6682]

Song?": The wind may howl like a hungry sled dog, ten below is a tropical day, keep the teapot hot on the stove boys, winter won't last any longer than May.

[@thatsMYbeef]

Same tractors that came up in Northern Saskatchewan

[@GillamAviationFuel]

What are the names of the songs on this video? whats the playlist? @nfb

[@nfb]

Great question! The music in this film are original scores by Rob Fleming and J. Howe.

[@blackthunder7342]

Where do you find find this footage

[@bdeditch]

NFB The National Film Board of Canada

[@blackthunder7342]

@@bdeditch in the basement of the Alamo?

[@bdeditch]

@@blackthunder7342 They have thousands of films in the archives

[@pressureworks]

Tried to watch the commercials but they are occasionally interrupted By Canadian content.

[@thatsMYbeef]

That's why I pay for KZbin..NO COMMERCIALS 😊

[@lacaz212]

No railroad. Never a railroad. If the Dene are to survive, they must block all development. Gen X needs to experience “southern life” prior to making a decision that may very well end their remaining way of life, up north. By opening up the MacKenzie Valley to financial opportunities to the southerners, every community downstream of development will be seriously affected. The MacKenzie Delta, The Sahtu, The Deh Cho, all need to meet, tour each others town. Challenge one another. Development will only serve old dying men who’ve never been north and could care less. Stay alive. Remain free. No development. Look at each other and talk. See the current issues in each community. See the results of development. Make your stand.

[@oilersridersbluejays]

🤣

[@JimmyMatis-h9y]

I'm an American so I don't know much about the details of the Dene's* situation but I'll eat my hat if your observations aren't spot on 🎯 * what little i *do* know is thanks to Hammerson Peters' channel; shout out to another excellent story teller as the gents in this vdo. ❤️‍🩹 ✌🏻

[@jasonjamesbisson]

Uncle Putin will send you gifts 😂🎉 🎁

[@gq-cw6xi]

If there is no developement where you get your welfare dollars from, your gimmee cheques

[@papabits5721]

All the money spent and nothing in return

[@janieterrel681]

I find this interesting that this production was filmed in the late 40’s to the early 50’s and would love to see a documentary from present day that shows the ravages of what the mining and timber industry did to the land and the indigenous peoples over a span of 60 to 70 years. I always find it interesting that the white race thinks we all need to assimilate to their ways, and as a mixed blood woman born in the early fifties, I have witnessed first hand how devastating that philosophy is to our people.

[@albertapeet]

Progress for some is devastating. Pretending the old ways will work in a modern world would likely be more devastating.

[@ivarb629]

MEHHHHHH What's up doc?

[@eckosters]

Oh gosh, this is SO dated! Yes, 1958 - very dated. Concepts: mineral wealth creates wealth and we'll just teach the Indigenous people how to live. And note that the only women we see are shown 'shopping' (in curlers!).

[@albertapeet]

Ya ,hate to be the bearer of bad news but that’s the way it was in the 1940s and 50s.