We believe it is very important that we preserve our ancestor's history. One of things that we should never be lost is the art of Birch Bark Canoe building. Pictured above are photos of replica-sized birch bark canoes in various lengths fashioned after a rough water birch bark canoe that would have been used by the early Mi'kmaq peoples.

All materials that Waterdancer uses in reconstructing these scale replica to construct their own birch bark canoes.

Todd's Father the late Charlie Labrador

Todd and his Mother, Juanita after a day of collecting birch bark

Todd's Great-Grandfather and canoe builder, Joe Jermey "Pa"

The replica canoes are made using spruce wood for the planking which runs on the bottom length-wise. The ribs and the gunwales were also of spruce except for the top one (cap) which is wooden pegged is made of ash. The pegs are made from birch, the thwarts (cross pieces) are also made from birch. While the full sized canoes are made using spruce wood for the planking, gunwales, thwarts, pegs and cedar for the ribs.

Let it be noted that in the southern areas of Nova Scotia Cedar did not grow. Unlike in New Brunswick where they would have used it instead of the spruce. Cedar was also used because it is a lighter wood.

All the roots that is used to sew the bark together, and to attach the bark to the gunwales and thwarts to the gunwales are spruce roots (shown left). A mixture of spruce gum was made and used to seal the seams of the bark.

In the original birch bark canoes there were no seats. The stern man (back) sometimes sat up on the gunwale end of the canoe and other times he would kneel on the canoe's floor. The bow man (front) kneeled for the most part.

6Photo #1 6ft scale replica birch bark canoe without spruce gum, Photo #2 of a 3ft scale replica of a rough water canoe with paddles, Photo#3 sewing the spruce roots is a tedious job that requires a lot of patience
16ft birch bark canoe unfinished	Todd and daughter, Melissa paddling the maiden voyage of this 16ft river style canoe during the Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival, July 2006 in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia	Todd paddling on Wildcat River in a 16ft birch bark canoe

 

 

For further information on the Birch Bark Canoes please contact us.