|
This image details how the birch bark is held in place at
the top of the canoe by the two sides of the gunwale on each side.
The bark is sandwiched between two pieces of cedar that has been steamed and
formed to create the sweep and curve or the top side. The
configuration is held together with spruce root lashing. The root is
soaked in water then split and quartered. It serves as good binding
material for the sandwich configuration. A cedar cross brace is shown.
The detail reveals how the inside of the gunwale is mortised and each end is
held in place by a wooden peg. All materials in these canoes are
natural and the technology to produce them is ancient. The most modern
tool used to create these remarkable watercraft is a hammer. This
labor of love takes the definition of 'hand-made' to a whole new level. |
