Greetings fellow Campers

[beaver]

 8)Greetings from the Northwoods of Wisconsin,,,,,,

It's great to be a part of the community of Wilderness People. To see what I am all about you can check out my website at.......http://web.mac.com/beaverbarkcanoes Thank you

[Lady Di]

so yur just here for the company and warm beer....or looking to flog a few of them there nu's

[lookinnorth]

Nice to have you here, great website,,,  like your page titled  "Sacrifice and Ceremony", very nice. I'm sure you know this story but for those that don't,,,,,

The Legend of the Birch Tree

"Long ago and not far away, a boy was born into a nice family. Before he could walk, a ceremony was held in his honor, a naming ceremony. He was given the name Wiigwaas. Wiigwaas was given many gifts from the creator.  One of those gifts was to help others in a good way. He not only helped his father hunt and fish, he also helped his mother pick wild berries and tend the garden. He helped the elderly not only in his village, but in other villages. He would help make canoes and houses.

One day when he became a young man he had to go to battle. In this battle he lost his life. His brothers brought his body home and buried him, after they held a farewell ceremony. He was buried in pure white buckskin on a hill just beyond his village. The following spring his people noticed that a little tree began to grow at the site of his grave. As this tree grew tall a dream came to the father of Wiigwaas. In this dream he was told that Wiigwaas was still able to help his people and the dream showed him how.

In the springtime you can take the sweet sap from him and you can make syrup. You can peel the bark off to fashion food containers for keeping food and eating. You can make canoes and you can use the bark to make lodges. You can make boxes and baskets. From the strong wood you can make daabaagan, sleighs and lodges. You can make fires, so the people can keep warm and cook food. So, even in his death, Wiigwaas is still helping his people."

Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant

[Preacher]

Very nice website Beaver.  Lovely canoes. 

[Tripper]

The "Sacrifice and Ceremony" page made a lot of sense. Taking what one needs from the earth and offering back to that which needs to give it's life in order to provide us with what we need to survive is something we've lost in our quest for money and material goods. The bottom line seems to be the only motivating factor today. Thanks for sharing that.

Just curious Beaver, but do you offer open courses for people to learn how to make birch bark canoes?

Looks like something I'd definitely like to learn more about.

A way to keep the tradition alive?

[beaver]

The "Sacrifice and Ceremony" page made a lot of sense. Taking what one needs from the earth and offering back to that which needs to give it's life in order to provide us with what we need to survive is something we've lost in our quest for money and material goods. The bottom line seems to be the only motivating factor today. Thanks for sharing that.

Just curious Beaver, but do you offer open courses for people to learn how to make birch bark canoes?

Looks like something I'd definitely like to learn more about.

A way to keep the tradition alive?

I do teach on occasion. Last year my apprentice built this fine 13' canoe. It was his first one and it took almost a year of on and off collecting materials, processing them by hand using traditional methods and then putting everything together.
"Lots of work for that Indian Way"

http://www.me.com/gallery/#100029

[HeavyK]

Beautiful canoes
 

wow

[canuckcamper]

thats one sweet lookin boat...welcome to the forum!

Kirk

[Tripper]

I do teach on occasion. Last year my apprentice built this fine 13' canoe. It was his first one and it took almost a year of on and off collecting materials, processing them by hand using traditional methods and then putting everything together.
"Lots of work for that Indian Way"

I would hazard to guess that the first time your apprentice paddled that craft, it was more of a part of a journey rather than just paddling a birch bark canoe he built. From what I could gather from your site and explaination, he learned a lot more than just how to make a canoe.

They are fine looking pieces of craftsmanship Beaver. Thanks for sharing.

And also, welcome to the forum.