Creating a birch bark canoe at Mohawk College

A group of five Mohawk College Indigenous students had an opportunity to work with canoe-maker Chuck Commanda to create an iconic Canadian watercraft.

Commanda, from the community of Kitigan Zibi, Quebec, and the students made a 12-foot long birch bark canoe in approximately two weeks at Mohawk College.

Although birch is the easily recognizable tree used in its construction, cedar, spruce, ash and ironwood trees were also utilized. There are no modern" fasteners used.

The ribs that provide crucial support are held in place by virtue of their tight fit. Lashing is created from spruce roots that have been harvested and dried. Sap covers exterior joints.

Commanda joined the students and other guests at Christie Conservation Area for a short ceremony before he and his partner, Joanne Dumoulin, took it for a first paddle in the lake.

Barry Gray is a Hamilton-based photojournalist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: bgray@thespec.com