Miniature Birch Bark Canoe

Miniature canoes handmade by Atikamekw artist Bernard Meguish of Obedjiwan. Each hull is shaped from birch bark and stitched closed at the bow and stern, with gunwales and thwarts held in place by wrapped lashings.

Every canoe is finished a little differently, with hand-carved paddles, leather ties, wooden beads and feathers. Two of the styles come with a leather strap so they can hang on a wall or hook. Choose yours from the styles below.

Style Options

• Pale Gunwales: smooth pale wood gunwales and thwarts, two carved paddles inside, orange leather tie with a wooden bead and a brown feather at one end
• Bark Gunwales: gunwales trimmed in layered bark strips, one thwart, a carved paddle tied inside, golden suede tie with a wooden bead
• Striped Feathers: reddish brown bark with three thwarts (the centre one carved with notches), ribbed wooden beads and striped brown and white feathers at both ends, golden leather hanging strap
• Crossed Paddles: two carved paddles tied across the outside of the hull, rim wrapped all the way around, red and olive green wooden beads with dark brown feathers at both ends, golden leather hanging strap

Details

• Size: about 7.5" to 8" long, 2" to 3" wide and 1.5" to 3" tall (each canoe varies slightly)
• Weight: about 40 g
• Materials: birch bark, carved wood, wrapped lashing, leather, wooden beads, feathers
• Paddles and thwarts carved by hand
• Handmade in Obedjiwan, Quebec
• One of a kind
• Made for display. Feathers and small parts make it unsuitable for young children.

Care

Keep dry and away from direct sun and heat, which can dry out the bark. Dust gently with a soft, dry brush.