Delicate grace and meticulous workmanship, combined in a harmonious blend of function and art, make the Attikamek snowshoe one of the finest products of its kind.

"Making The Attikamek Snowshoe" describes the design, construction and use of this highly evolved Native American implement. Discussed are the various modifications of the basic "square-toe" snowshoe style and their effect on performance - the selection and preparation of timber stock - tool manufacture and use - frame assembly - skin preparation - plain and "fancy" snowshoe weaving - snowshoe decoration - and native harnesses and foot gear,. 176 pages, 130 illustrations, 255 photos.
Price ....$34.00 post paid



 

An 18 foot Fur-Trade type birchbark canoe A 1/2 scale model of a 24' Fur-Trade type birch bark canoe . This style with an upright stem profile was formerly built by the Algonquin of western Quebec. Mistassini Cree family in front of their winter hunting camp with ''beavertail '' and ''pointed -toe'' snowshoes. photo- Henri Vaillancourt 1979 Jocko Carle and Basil Smith pitching a newly made birchbark canoe prior to launching ; from ''Building an Algonquin Birchbark Canoe'', photo Henri Vaillancourt 1980 A very fine example of Attikamek Indian snowshoe, circa early 1900's . The end sections are woven with complex geometric patterns and the midsection features the fancy ''double selvage cords'' ; from ''Making the Attikamek Snowshoe'' ; photo -courtesy of Lower Fort. Garry National Historic Park
Full size birchbark canoes Scale model birchbark canoes

The Trust for Native American Cultures and Crafts

 Native technology videos and DVDs Native technology books
close-up of a section of canoe paddle blade decorated with traditional Malecite Indian style incised line decoration Moise Flamand shaving a snowshoe stave of yellow birch wood with the traditional crooked knife , Manouane P.Q. ; from ''Making the Attikamek Snowshoe'' ; photo Henri Vaillancourt 1979 18 foot Fur-Trade style birch bark canoe with typical painted decoration and fancy root sewng on bows . This type of bark canoe was built from the 1600's to the early 1900's by both Indian and French craftsmen for Canadian government and military purposes ,as well as for the fur-trade Jocko Carle and Basil Smith peeling birch bark for a new canoe ; from "'Building an Algonquin Birchbark Canoe '' ; photo- Henri Vaillancourt 1980 Henri Vaillancourt
Traditional Indian paddles

Crooked knives

 Home

Materials

 About the builder