Constructing a traditional White Pine bark canoe
The Sturgeon-Nose Canoe (WiYA? ?A-K´UN YAqsu?mi?) has been with the Ktunaxa Nation since time immemorial. Before the white man, with their automobiles, these canoes were our vehicles.
The design is distinctive to the Ktunaxa. The purpose of the design was for the nose to part and glide through the bull-rushes in the valley’s delta. It’s unique nose shape was derived from the sturgeon fish, commonly found in the Kutenai lake and river.
Today, the construction of the Sturgeon-Nose Canoe is still alive in Lower Kutenai, with a few families building them. It’s in our blood! Scroll down to view the process.
Materials
Framing
Start of Frame
Frame Taking Shape
Another View
More Frame Work
Framing the Mid-Section
Frame Nearing Completion
Working on Canoe Frame in front of my birth place
Further on the Frame
Tying Hoop to Nose
View Looking Inside Nose
Another View of the Nose
Continuing the Mid-Section
Framing on a Hot Summer Day
At this stage, the Elders say "This is the Skeleton of the Sturgeon"
Finishing Nose Frame
Continuing Tying Hoops to Frame
Constructing 16-foot Frame
Tying Frame Together
Framing takes a long time!
Model Skeleton Frames
Harvesting Bark
Selecting White Pine
Falling White Pine tree
Cutting Bark
Peeling Bark
Removing Bark
Rolling Bark – Step 1
Rolling Bark – Step 2
Rolling Bark – Step 3
Applying Bark
Applying the Bark
Bark Applied to Nose Section
Applying the Bark is Done
Another View of the Canoe before Sealing
Nose View before Sealing
Framing
Fir Pitch
Applying the Pitch
Applying Pitch to Crack
Finished Product
Canvas-covered Canoe
