Article on building a birchbark canoe, a craft which is being revived by the Pen

Pat Friedman

Source

Portland Monthly

Date

4-1-2004

Pages

46-51

Abstract

Article on building a birchbark canoe, a craft which is being revived by the Penobscots on Indian Island. After repairing one of two ancient canoes in an exhibit in the Penobscot Museum, the Penobscots learned so much about their original craft that they have developed the ability to create new birchbark canoes. To date, three new prototypes have been built in Maine, one already selling to a Gorham buyer for $10,000. The Penobscots working on the new-generation birchbarks include Joe Dana, Roland Jewel, Frank Loring, Barry McGrane, and tribal elder Nick Dow. Steve Cayard, a lifelong canoe craftsman and consultant on the project, said each canoe takes about 500 hours to build.

Subjects

Boatbuilding, Canoes and canoeing, Penobscot Indians

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