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Boatbuilding

Birch Bark Canoes: Traditional Construction

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Course Overview

Explore the history, construction, and use of the Native American birch bark canoe in this hands-on course. Paddled for centuries on the lakes and rivers of the interior, all the necessary materials can be sustainably harvested from a healthy boreal forest: birch bark, cedar, spruce root, and spruce gum. During the course you will work on several birch bark canoes in different stages of construction. Coursework includes harvesting and processing materials, canoe design characteristics, hand tool usage, traditional construction techniques, and historical use. This is a rare learning opportunity for anyone interested in the construction and history of the birch bark canoe.

Dates

Mon, Jun 25th, 2018  –  Fri, Jun 29th, 2018

Course Details

Length: 5 Days
Skill Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Hours: 9am-5pm
Tuition: $475.00

Required

You will need the following tools for this class:

outdoor clothing including boots, forest clothing and raingear and insect headnet
leather gloves
pocket knife (available for purchase)
day pack
water
bag lunch

Optional Tools

camera
insect repellent
crooked knife
draw knife
awl

More Information

Once registered, students will receive a confirmation email with further class information. Please call us if you haven't received it within 24 hours.

Latest Update: View recent changes →

Meet the Instructor

North House Folk School photo of instructor, Erik Simula
Erik Simula
Finland, MN

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Birch Bark Canoes: Traditional Construction