Making Muskoka: Tourism, Rural Identity, and Sustainability, 1870-1920

At the turn of the twentieth century, Muskoka underwent a profound transition from a remote and isolated region to a popular tourist destination and wealthy cottager area. Making Muskoka explores the evolution of the region from 1870 to 1920, examining the impact of settler colonialism on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee communities, the development of tourism, and the challenges faced by settlers in controlling the tourism economy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2022
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

Muskoka, once a magnet for nature tourists and wealthy cottagers, has undergone a remarkable transformation at the turn of the twentieth century. This captivating documentary, titled "Making Muskoka," delves into the evolution of the region from 1870 to 1920. During this period, settler colonialism disrupted the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee communities, yet the land proved unsuitable for farming. Consequently, within the first generation of resettlement, tourism emerged as an integral part of daily life.

Andrew Watson, in his insightful exploration, examines various issues such as rural identity, the tensions between large- and household-scale logging operations, and the profound impact of consumer culture and the global shift toward fossil fuels on the settlers' ability to control the tourism economy after 1900. "Making Muskoka" unveils the lived experiences of rural communities shaped by tourism, particularly in the context of limited sustainable opportunities on the Canadian Shield. It sheds light on the consequences for those who call these regions home year-round.

This documentary offers a valuable perspective on the historical and cultural dynamics of Muskoka, providing a deeper understanding of the region's past and its ongoing significance in the present. It serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of human communities in the face of change and the complexities of navigating the intersections of tourism, culture, and the environment.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774867832