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On July 24, 2006, Mitchell Shewell, Project Coordinator, began to
oversee the building of a Birchbark canoe with Algonquin craftsman,
Chris Wabie at the MacLaughlin Woodworking Museum. It was Chris's 47th
canoe.
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This bark role will be soaked before it is used on the canoe frame.
The best time to gather the bark was spring up to the month of June.The
bark almost peels itself from the tree. If they need to be stored,
the sheets are laid on the ground and pressed flat. When it comes time
to ready them for the canoe they are soaked in warm water or steamed
over a fire.
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Cedar is used to make the ribs and frame of the canoe because it's
pliable when soaked and very hard and durable when dry.Over 3,000 years
ago the native peoples of the Northeastern Forests used bark containers
to collect, store, cook and consume food. It was also used to make
hunting and fishing gear, musical instruments, decorative fans and
toys.