Canoes are one of the amazing indigenous inventions and are found in many different cultures. Garry Todd describes bark canoes as the most amazing watercraft ever developed. Western bark canoes were a round-sided, tumblehome design, wide on the bottom with curved sides, while eastern canoe builders used a bent frame made with heated wood. 

Pilot Don Todd began flying twin engine aircraft in Inuvik, then spent time flying on other continents. Indigenous ancestors were great navigators, a skill also needed by pilots. Don gives some education tips for aspiring pilots.

Kai shows us how to make a spindle whorl, invented by indigenous ancestors to spin wool, fur, and soft inner cedar bark into yarn for blankets and clothing. Next we see a traditional birchbark canoe being constructed.

Chickasaw Nation astronaut, John Herrington, describes the canoeing traditions of the Polynesian people. 3000 years ago, they migrated in ocean-going sailing canoes from East Asia to Tonga and Samoa, then they went on westward to Tahiti, Hawai’i, Rapa Nui and Aotearoa (New Zealand). They needed scientific knowledge to navigate using the stars, the sun, winds and currents.

COYOTE’S CRAZY SMART SCIENCE SHOW (Coyote Science) is a fun, educational science series designed for elementary students. Drawing on wisdom from pioneers in Indigenous education, including Dr. Leroy Little Bear, Amethyst First Rider, and Dr. Lorna Williams, Coyote Science bridges the worlds of Indigenous and Western science, teaching kids scientific concepts through discussions with Indigenous scientists, storytelling, animation, music, and experiments.

BIO: Created by Loretta Todd, a Métis–Cree filmmaker who was one of the first Indigenous women to pursue film studies at Simon Fraser University in BC. Loretta is an amateur science geek who always wanted to inspire Indigenous children and youth to learn more about science, especially Indigenous science. Using her creative skills as a creative, L. S. Todd is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning filmmaker known for powerful, visual storytelling and cultural leadership.