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Collecting Birchbark
Construction begins with the collection of birchbark. Birch trees in Dogrib territory are small; one canoe needs 20 to 25 pieces of birchbark. Canoes were typically built in the spring, from late April until early June, when the trees were running with sap and bark was easier to remove. Birch trees were chosen based on their size (25 - 38 cm in diameter), and the quality of their bark, meaning straight stretches without knotholes or other flaws. Once the pieces are collected, they are weighted and flattened with large rocks.
When collecting birchbark, great care should be taken when removing the bark.
Only the outer layer is taken so the tree may continue to grow.
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Collecting Roots
The birchbark is sewn to the frame of the canoe using spruce roots.
First, the roots are dug up and pulled from the ground. Then the bark is stripped and the roots are split in half. They are soaked in water to soften and preserve them for later use. The women usually did this kind of work.
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Collecting Spruce
The frame of the canoe is built from spruce.
Straight- grained spruce trees make the ideal material. Long spruce poles are split and carved to shape. The stem pieces, which form the bow and stern of the canoe, are fashioned from the base of a large spruce tree, where a large root and trunk together form the right angle. The men usually did this type of work.
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