Rendezvous With History-A Grand Portage Story

Beasts of Burden

NPS Photo / John Prenovost

News Release Date: April 25, 2012

This year, visitors to Grand Portage have the opportunity for an exciting new interpretive experience! Grand Portage National Monument, in partnership with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, is very proud to announce the debut of a new park orientation film at the monument's Heritage Center.

The film, entitled "Rendezvous with History: A Grand Portage Story", is produced by Great Divide Pictures of Denver, Colorado. Shown in high definition format on a BIG screen, the new film features absolutely stunning footage of the scenic beauty within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation. The film also features an original music soundtrack, composed by Peter Kater and is presented in 5.1 Surround Sound. Audiences might recognize the voice of the film's narrator, well-known Ojibwe actor, Adam Beach. Adam has starred in feature films like "Wind Talkers" in 2002; "Flags of Our Fathers" in 2006, and most recently, he co-starred with Harrison Ford in "Cowboys and Aliens" in 2011.

Many Grand Portage community members also have prominent roles in the film.
The film's narrator gives voice to a contemporary Ojibwe man recalling his family's and his peoples' enduring culture, and brings to life a story of a time when the Grand Portage Ojibwe were one of the most powerful tribes on the Great Lakes and vital trading partners with the storied North West Company. Ojibwe actress, Gloria Ranger, portrays our storyteller's great grandmother, Adaawaweikwe. During the fur trade era, hers was a position of power and influence. She used her skills as a guide and translator to advocate for her people. She and other Ojibwe women were influential in creating successful trading agreements between the Ojibwe and the North West Company.

"Rendezvous with History: A Grand Portage Story" is also available in Ojibwemowin, the traditional language of the Grand Portage people. "Gaa-Izhinagishkodaading Gichi-Onigamiing Dibaajimowin" narrated by Maajiigwaneyaash (Mr. Gordan Jourdain), is likely the first film produced by the National Park Service narrated, in its entirety, in an aboriginal language.

Please, enjoy the new film! There are bonus features as well for those interested in additional information about our unique place! We offer an additional series of "mini-features" to provide more insight to the stories of Grand Portage. Each film "short" is approximately six minutes in length and provides a more in-depth perspective on story elements of the main film. The film shorts available include: "Our Home: The Grand Portage Ojibwe, "The Gift of the Birch Bark Canoe", "A Gap in the Hills: Geography of Grand Portage", and "The Men of the North West Company".