Crafted out of birch bark, which is naturally water-repellant, Mi’kmaw canoes were light, easy to paddle and carry over land. Smaller canoes were built for travel on lakes and rivers in the interior, while larger, sea-going canoes were constructed for travel along Nova Scotia’s South Shore, and on the Bay of Fundy.

Photo Credit: Learning Resources and Technology / Nova Scotia Department of Education

Measuring anywhere from 3 to 8 metres (10 to 26 feet), canoes were built by placing sheets of white birch over a light wooden frame. Spruce root was used to sew the pieces together. Once the bark was secured in place, the seams were filled with spruce gum to make the canoes watertight.