De Pan

Mikmaq Bark Canoe

Todd "Waterdancer" Labrador is a seventh generation Mi'kmaq who builds birch bark canoes in his native tradition. Mi'kmaq canoes have a very unique design, included very blunt, rounded ends, a lack of a stempiece or headboard support, and a tendancy to use continuous lashing around a single round gunwale. It's interesting to see all the various tribal adaptations to the basic design of the bark canoe.


Adney's plan for a Mi'kmaq Canoe


Setting the ribs


Finished hull with continuous lashing


Upright paddling
More of Todd's creations can be seen at www.waterdancer.netfirms.com