High Steel is a short documentary offering a dizzying
view of the Mohawk Indians of Kahnawake (pron: Gun-na-wa-ga) who work in
Manhattan erecting the steel frames of skyscrapers. Famed for their skill in
working with steel, the Mohawks demonstrate their nimble abilities in the sky.
As a counterbalance, the viewer is also allowed a peek at their quieter
community life on the Kahnawake Reserve, in Quebec.
One of the first construction projects the Kahnawake helped
build was the Saint Lawrence Bridge (1886-87) linking Kahnawake to Montreal
Island. As Kahnawake men employed as ironworkers and bridgemen worked hundreds
of feet above the water and ground, a legend began that the Kahnawake men had
no fear of heights.
Over the years, Kahnawake men have continued to be employed
as ironworkers in Canada, with many also moving to New York City to work on the
city’s skyscrapers. Kahnawake men participated in building the Empire State
Building, the World Trade Centre, and other major skyscrapers in New York City,
as well as many bridges. This short film examines some of the work and
lifestyle of these workers.
Spudwrench - Kahnawake Man
By Alanis Obomsawin, 1997, 58 min
This documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin
introduces us to Randy Horne, another high steel worker from the Mohawk
community of Kahnawake, near Montreal. As a defender of his people's culture
and traditions, he was known as "Spudwrench" during the 1990 Oka
crisis (a land dispute between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka,
Quebec, Canada).
The hour long film presents a unique look behind the
barricades at one man's impassioned defence of sacred territory, and is both a
portrait of Horne and the generations of daring Mohawk construction workers
that have preceded him.
Both films are amongst the hundreds of films available via
the National Film Board of Canada website. Another
wonderful online resource for all to enjoy.
