Building a Birch Bark Canoe

Thirty years ago, there were few birch bark canoe builders remaining in North America—even fewer in the United States, but that was when Richard Schneider undertook to build one from scratch himself.

This book describes the procedures and processes as well as the problems in traditional birch bark canoe construction: from the harvesting of bark and roots to caulking and sailing the finished 12-foot long vessel. Originally recorded in 1970 as a chapter in his Crafts of the North American Indians, this new edition now included recent research and additional observations of contemporary canoe builders not available for the first version.

Everything is well documented in great detail and with ample illustrations by the author for readers who want to be informed about this most unique of Native American watercraft. Whether you intend to build one yourself or simply want to know how it is/was done, this is the book!