The Chief Commanda I & II
COME SAIL A LEGEND
Chief Commanda II at Dokis Bay
North Bay Museum William Forder Collection
The Chief Commanda I was a steel-hulled tour boat likely named after the widely renowned and respected Nipissing First Nation Gimaa (Chief) Bernard Commanda.
After being originally launched in Callander by Ontario Northland Boat Lines in 1946, the Chief Commanda transported supplies and tourists to resorts on Lake Nipissing and the French River. The boat also provided vital transportation to Dokis First Nation.
The Chief Commanda I Docked at Keystone Camp
North Bay Museum William Forder Collection
After being retired from the ONR in 1974, the Chief Commanda I was docked at Dokis First Nation with hopes it would become a museum. Instead, it was returned to North Bay by 1990. In 2012 it became a restaurant, now known as “The Boat.”
The Chief Commanda II has been cruising Lake Nipissing and the French River as a tourism staple since 1974 when the diesel-powered, twin-hull catamaran replaced the original Chief. Lawrence Dokis was the first mate and then captain of the Chief Commanda I and II until 1980.
Model of the Chief Commanda I
This model was donated to the Callander Bay Museum by the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
On Loan from the Callander Bay Heritage Museum
Chief Commanda I Ontario Northland Boat Lines pennant
On loan from the Callander Bay Heritage Museum
The Chief Commanda I and II both played a vital role to Dokis in tourism and the delivery of goods to the community. Tourists would travel in from North Bay and stay at one of the several lodges in the community. Dokis operated a craft shop where local artisans were able to sell their goods. The craft shop closed and the large dock was removed shortly after the Chief Commanda ended service to the community.
Original Compass from the Chief Commanda I
On loan from the Dokis Museum
Did You Know…
Until 1959, Dokis First Nation could only
be accessed by water, making transportation
on the Chief Commanda essential.
Bernard Commanda was born in 1905 and
was the Chief of Nipissing from 1946 to 1951.
He was widely known throughout Canada
and the United States.
Chief Commanda II promotional material
On loan from the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission
Chief Commanda II promotional material
On loan from the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission
Remember When…
“It used to come right into the bay in Dokis. I remember waiting for it to arrive because they served ice cream, Margaret—Marge was her name, very kind, her hair in a bun.”
“My dad had many stories about the old Chief Commanda. Sadly, I do not remember them all except for bits and pieces. I do remember them (my dad and my aunties) dressing up and going to get ice cream.”
“My dad’s Aletis would stop in the middle of the river and open up the bottom half of the Chief Commanda and I remember a can of Pepsi was 10 cents.”
Memories from Dokis First Nation members
Chief Commanda II timetables
On loan from the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission
Chief Commanda I timetables
On loan from the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission
“When I was a teenager, there was no road to Dokis. The only way I could keep in touch with my aunties and cousins at Dokis was going on the Chief Commanda.
“A lot of our band members that worked in the camps on the French River also used the Chief for transportation along with their families. The Chief was like a community on water, passing boats would wave whether they knew you or not.”
Joan McLeod Shabogesic
Nipissing First Nation member and councillor
