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.

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

camera
insect repellent
crooked knife
draw knife
awl