Skip to main content

First Winter

201827 minPG

Synopsis

In 1830, a family of Irish immigrants faces their first winter in the Ottawa Valley while the father works in a distant lumber camp.

Deep Dive

Why Watch

  • See how a family survives their first winter alone.
  • Find out what happens when a father is away for the winter.
  • Meet the children who become leaders in the forest.

Did You Know

  • In 1830, the Ottawa River valley had very few inhabitants.
  • The family relied on basic food supplies like potatoes and salt pork during winter.
  • The mother's pain was not just physical; it affected the entire family.
  • The children had to work together to clear the forest and survive.

Perfect For

Historical survival storiesFamily dynamics19th-century life
Read full Deep Dive →
Frequently Asked Questions

What year did the events in the documentary take place?

The events took place in 1830.

What type of food did the family primarily survive on during the winter?

The family primarily survived on potatoes, a little salt pork, and a bit of flour.

What promise did the father make to his family before leaving?

The father promised to return in the spring with a horse or an ox.

Comments

What are people saying?

Play More Like This

Explore First Winter

Where else to watch

Browse more like this

Related Films

Is this your film?

If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.