Weegwaasi JimaanWeegwaasi Jimaan(Birchbark Canoe)(Birchbark Canoe)

Birchbark canoes made from•Birchbark

•Black spruce root•White Cedar

•Ash•Iron wood•Pine pitch

Watap(Black Spruce Root)

Watap is what holds canoe togetherSpruce root that has been peeled and split is used as lacing

Watap is very strong

Watap is what holds canoe togetherSpruce root that has been peeled and split is used as lacing

Watap is very strong

Birchbark is used as waterproofexterior of canoe

Birchbark is used as waterproofexterior of canoe

White Cedar is used forRibs of canoeGunwales andPlanking

White Cedar is used forRibs of canoeGunwales andPlanking

Ash is used for thwarts and gunwale caps

Ash is used for thwarts and gunwale caps

Ironwood is used to make pegs that help hold gunwales together Ironwood is used to make pegs that help hold gunwales together

Watap is harvestedAs soon as the ground thaws inSpring. The best watap is found in the swamps

Watap is harvestedAs soon as the ground thaws inSpring. The best watap is found in the swamps

Birchbark is harvested in July when treeIs full of sap.The bark comes off very easy if it is done at the right time.

Birchbark is harvested in July when treeIs full of sap.The bark comes off very easy if it is done at the right time.

Whole cedar logsare then harvestedLogs are split downinto gunwalesribs and planking

Whole cedar logsare then harvestedLogs are split downinto gunwalesribs and planking

Watap is peeled and split.The average canoe requires

500 to 700 feet of watap.

Watap is peeled and split.The average canoe requires

500 to 700 feet of watap.

Ash thwarts are carved by hand with a crooked knife

Ash thwarts are carved by hand with a crooked knife

Ash thwarts and inner gunwales are assembled. Most canoes have five thwarts, but ricing canoes hadfour.

Ash thwarts and inner gunwales are assembled. Most canoes have five thwarts, but ricing canoes hadfour.

Bark is laid out on a building platform, weighted down, and gores are cut to allow bark to bend

Bark is laid out on a building platform, weighted down, and gores are cut to allow bark to bend

Side bark is usually needed, so thin strips of bark must be stitched to main piece using watap.

Side bark is usually needed, so thin strips of bark must be stitched to main piece using watap.

Meanwhile, cedar is split and formed to make

headpiece and tailpiece

Meanwhile, cedar is split and formed to make

headpiece and tailpiece

Starting to look like a canoe. Side bark gets trimmed to a set height. Gunwales and thwarts are pegged with ironwood and wrapped with watap

Starting to look like a canoe. Side bark gets trimmed to a set height. Gunwales and thwarts are pegged with ironwood and wrapped with watap

Next, headpiece, tailpiece, and manboard is assembled and stitched into canoe. Endpieces lock into canoe using inner gunwale as support. Bark will usually be added and all will be sewn with you guessed it, watap.

Next, headpiece, tailpiece, and manboard is assembled and stitched into canoe. Endpieces lock into canoe using inner gunwale as support. Bark will usually be added and all will be sewn with you guessed it, watap.

Decorative bark and stitching is often used on endpieces to make canoe unique. Different canoe makers do different things here. This is a good place to use your imagination and leave your personal mark on the craft.

Decorative bark and stitching is often used on endpieces to make canoe unique. Different canoe makers do different things here. This is a good place to use your imagination and leave your personal mark on the craft.

Now it is time for the plankingand ribs. Planking is cedar that is split very thin. It reinforces the bark and spreads the tension that is created when the ribs are pounded in. Ribs lock under inner gunwale.

Now it is time for the plankingand ribs. Planking is cedar that is split very thin. It reinforces the bark and spreads the tension that is created when the ribs are pounded in. Ribs lock under inner gunwale.

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After ribs are installed, canoe is allowed to dry. The last thing that needs to be done is the canoe seams need to be sealed with a mixture of pine sap and animal fat. This is called pitch.

After ribs are installed, canoe is allowed to dry. The last thing that needs to be done is the canoe seams need to be sealed with a mixture of pine sap and animal fat. This is called pitch.

This canoe has been sealed with pitchAnd is almost ready to be launched forIts maiden voyage.

This canoe has been sealed with pitchAnd is almost ready to be launched forIts maiden voyage.

Before the canoe is launched, it is feasted. Traditional canoe feasts include things like walleye, wild rice, venison, and blueberries. It is a happy time.

Before the canoe is launched, it is feasted. Traditional canoe feasts include things like walleye, wild rice, venison, and blueberries. It is a happy time.

The birchbark canoe glides effortlessly through the water. It is a real pleasure to paddle these craft.

The birchbark canoe glides effortlessly through the water. It is a real pleasure to paddle these craft.

The End