The Fort Nelson Aboriginal Project © copyright 1998 School District 81

Trees - Birch

 


Birch trees were important for aboriginal people in the Fort Nelson area. They had several uses.


Bark
o good for fire starter
o baskets, bowls, plates, pot (household use)
o used for the outside lining of a canoe
(inside layer was spruce bark)
o first layer used as roofing
o boiled and used as medicine

Wood
o used to make utensils, sleds, snowshoes, paddles, clubs axe handles, canoes
o decayed wood used to tan moosehide
 

 

 

 

birch tree
Photograph provided by Larry Burke

Sap
o sap, sour tasting
o usually extracted in spring when sap is "running"
o boiled down to a syrup like maple syrup [used if no water nearby]


birch canoe
Model by Larry Burke available at the R.L. Angus Learning Resources Centre
 

 

 

 

Miniature Birch Bark Canoe
 

 

 

 

birch canoe - other view
Model by Larry Burke available at the R.L. Angus Learning Resources Centre


birch basket - woven
Photograph provided by Fort Nelson Friendship Centre
 

 

 

 

Woven Birch Bark Basket
Solid Birch Bark Basket
 

 

 

 

solid birch bark basket
Photograph provided by Judith Desjarlais


utensils
Photograph provided by Larry Burke
 

 

 

 

Birch Cooking Utensils


Birch Dog Sled
 

 

 

 

miniature sled
Model by Larry Burke available at the R.L. Angus Learning Resources Centre


bark moosecall
Photograph provided by Larry Burke
 

 

 

 

Birch Bark Moosecall


more about birch bark
. . .