Birchbark Canoe | Lakeland PBS Full Documentary 

I'm from Sweden and love traditional woodworking. There is a long tradition of both scandinavians and saami using birchbark for everyday objects, like containers, baskets and shoes etc. We use a lot of similar techniques like spruce roots to bind together the different layers and I just love it when completely different cultures and people "invent" the same things despite beign thousands of miles away. Awesome video and great build!

Thank you very much for being witness of your work replicating this canoe the original way like generations of native people ( you call them First Nations) had been building them. It was a very impressive video. All the best to all people who had given their best to preserve the history of this classic boat build. Have always save tours and enjoy. Best wishes and greetings from Germany 🇩🇪👍👍😎

This was only of the most lovely pieces of craftsmanship I've had the honor of watching in a very long time. Beautiful work and a rich piece of history and culture kept alive.

True brotherhood of man, to come together as one , with a singular goal that keeps traditions alive

Fantastic craftsmanship! Thank you for keeping my peoples knowledge and spirituality alive!!!!!!

It's youtube that will pass the tradition down to the next generation, anyone could make one of these with the video, men teachers will come and go but this video will live on forever

Believe in a man.. a man who is true in his efforts. The kindness of his soul is demonstrated in his voice. I wish i could shake your hand. Hug you're neck. Be a part of who you are.

I really like how good of a teacher he is with all the commentary.

Beautiful to watch craft dissolve in to art. And the art become a utensil.

I had a Birchbark canoe when I was a kid. It lasted me up till my 30's, when my neighbor's house burnt down, taking my boat shed, and my canoe with it. It was like getting kicked in the guts when that happened, but I still have the years of memories, and joy that using that canoe brought me.

TRUE DELIGHT WATCHING A MASTER CRAFTSMAN UP FRONT AND PERSONABLE! BEAUTIFUL FINISH. THANK YOU!

Wow, was that magic I just saw? What a beautiful story you have told. Thanks :-)

Incredible video! The canoe is a work of art. I can’t get over how complicated it is. Our country (USA) has a shameful history when it comes to how we’ve treated indigenous peoples. It’s good to see one of my fellow white men using his skills and the knowledge he’s acquired to give back something that belongs to the Native American people. He’s doing this with respect and humility as he works alongside the people whose culture this amazing technology came from. I think we can learn a lot more than just boat building from this.

I enjoyed every minute watching the construction of the canoe the way they were built wit hardly any tools no nails or screws Well done to all those people who worked on it

Amazing!!! So honored to have this legend share his great skill and he is so humble. Great video!!!

Working together, sharing ideas and experiences, learning new ideas and ways of doing things, poking fun at each other, and teaching...this is the essence of human culture. Fantastic post. Thank you!

Seeing this canoe "grow" form a skeleton to a piece of art was really amazing. Impressive woodworking skills.

When I was in junior high school, circa 1973... my sociology class made whale boats out of cardboard. It was such a fun experiment. This looks like an awesome video. Imagine this takes a great deal of patience. Thank you for sharing your video! I am going to sit back with my stove top buttery popcorn and enjoy it! The things I learn from You Tube videos.... loved how you shared about your ancestors and skills that I hope will never become obsolete. As I am watching, I am trying to imagine in my mind, how the Indians made these canoes without all the modern tools and such that you are using. May the young couple have a happy wedding and a beautiful life together! Share your traditions with your children. These are skills that should never die.

nice to see someone who knows how to use a froe and draw knife properly.

Pity the Fo's (Thank you Mr. T) who gave this a thumbs down. (As of 4-15-2020 there were 323 of them). Even if one isn't the least bit into woodworking, the sheer artistry and love that went into this build cannot be ignored. Those pitiful "thumbs downers" are obviously simply trolls. They must live every day in the world they create for themselves. So be it.

What a lovely wedding gift. Thanks for taking the time to speak to an audience while making this. It was wonderful.

When I was in the 6th grade 60 plus years ago I remember drawing a picture of an Indian in a birchbark canoe and coloring it in with crayon and the teacher hanging it up on the wall. When I saw this I knew I had to watch it. I was totally engrossed. What I really liked was the earthly respect for the wood and giving homage to where it came from. The craftsmanship and attention to detail was a pleasure to watch. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video.

When the work looks easy....sure sign of great expertise

This was an awesome video. My people never had canoes, but i've always been fascinated with birch bark canoes. Thanks for sharing this.

Seems fun to build one😯looks like a great time outdoors and very peaceful 🙂

Very impressive work. It gives one a totally new appreciation of the sophisticated skills employed by early native Americans in building a birchbark canoe. Thank you for sharing this video through RU-vid.

Excellent! That’s awesome! Great work and keeping history alive! Thank y’all! 😊👍👍

Seriously impressive craftsmanship. Really love the atmosphere of a bunch of friends just hanging out, taking part in the making of such an incredible thing, conversing while each contributes their energy to produce parts that add up to a much greater whole.

Wow, that is a GREAT build you and your group did! You’re absolutely right when you say that these technologies are anything but primitive. They are masterful adaptation of the available materials and tools to meeting their needs. Congratulations to all of you, and may the canoe have a long life...

Wow this guy is smarter then he looks Lol. one of the best videos I've seen ever. This man knows his tread. What a wonderful thing to do for someone. This guy is a master builder of an all but lost art.

You are giving back an ancient skill and bless you for it

I am a boatbuilder by trade and I am fascinated to watch You people keeping this craft alive. Truly enjoyable. Thank You

Thank you for your humble respect for Native culture. Your humility makes you great.

That's something I get a chuckle from every time I see it. Back in the late 60's a few companies painted aluminum canoes to look like birch bark except the painted it with the white side out.....lol

You my good sir are the most artistic and skilled wood worker i have ever seen your not just making a means of transportation your making art and history, thank you kindly

Grant your an absolute delight to watch splitting roots, and ceder ribs with such precision. Keeping this tradition alive is a tribute to the indigenous people who bought about this art form.

That is one of the most beautiful boats I've ever seen

Enjoyed watching the whole process. This video satisfied a lot of curiosity i had with the birch bark canoe construction. Cheers from down under in New Zealand....

While browsing through the RU-vid, I came across this. I found it very interesting so I watched it to the very end. And then watched it again for the second time. Thank you for producing this educational and informative video.

Awesome gentlemen! I don't want to negate your accomplishment... But this just shows me that ancient man had so much more going on than we do!

Thank you for preserving our North American heritage. What you do is special and actually borders on the spiritual. May God continue to bless you and those that help in this endeavor.

This was amazing. Way better than the dugout canoe from logs. I never would have believed its complexity and well thought-out planning until I saw you do it. Its a real masterpiece.

What a delight to see Grant so connected to material and process and give a running commentary.

Perfection, that is art and a culture that must be kept alive, thanks for the good video.

How bizarre that anybody could give this work of art the thumbs down ! ,,,it’s just fantastic in my eyes ! 👍

Amazing attempt to preserve some of the talents and skills of the old ways.

What a great realization to see birchbark canoe construction still continues. Many congratulations to all involved, truly a labour of love. Many years ago I watched the construction of a birchbark canoe built by either Algonquin or Cree tribe Indians in Ontario right in the middle of summer, the mosquitoes and blackflies were unbelievable. It was like a mist, the workers never swatted the flies just kept working away, it was a family construct with adults and children involved. I believe it was filmed by the Canadian Film Board circa 1940. I understand this vessel was constructed from one birchbark tree. The finest Birchbark canoe in the Canadian Government collection was repatriated from the UK some years ago. Originally it was constructed in Canada then taken to England by an English Military officer, it was discovered in the rafters of a barn in the UK.

This whole piece, from concept, to the production, through to completion is a work of beauty in every level by which it can be perceived. My appreciation to everyone involved in this presentation. As for the process, as a tool guy, I'm yet more amazed at how the early peoples fashioned their craft with stone implements before the introduction of metal into their midst and the instructor's skill with a simple razor knife.

Motivation there is great! I saved this video to watch again, Alvin.

I am super impressed, amazed and admire the intelligence of these people of this country. Their creativity, their conception, the innovation to improvise and their skill to construct and patience to build a Birchbark Canoes from natural forest materials, it seems to me like gifted persons of people, who are as great as shipbuilders of wooden ships.

The majestic Birch - wonderful yellow leaves in the fall and look what these craftsmen do with the bark.

I am rediscovering my Ojibwa heritage. Was raised being told I was French. Thanks so much for sharing this I will be ordering video on payday. My son and I will be building one of these this summer. Haven't decided on size yet but big enough for 2 plus fishing and camping gear.

It's so nice these skills have been maintained. As I watched, I realized I've wanted to see how a birchbark canoe was made since I was a Cub Scout almost 60 years ago in SE Texas. It's now almost 7 years since the video was put up, and I really hope there are new canoes every year and into the future. Many thanks for showing us how it's done.

I was working in my office and once in a while I put you tube on. I was drawn to this video like a moth to a flame I watched the whole thing. Absolutely amazing. To me these are the best type of RU-vid Videos to watch. Great Job

Absolutely incredible, what fantastic knowledge to have, to be able to create the old traditional way ancestors built canoes, definitely a thumbs up

This guy is great. He masters the process and know how. He might not be using the best and most fancy traditional tools but he know which gets the job done.

What I have seen here is a traditional Master class in woodworking. This would pass in Germany at the Guild for carpentry/woodwork as a masterpiece, followed by a master certificate. There is an honor for tradition, pride in their own work and respect for the material. I have the utmost respect for the people and their work.

Thank you for this spectacular presentation . VERY well done !

Very informative. Really enjoyed both watching the building techniques and listening to the thoughtful comments of the builders.

I watched the whole thing too! I've seen the canoe in person and it is a beautiful craft. I couldn't believe how easy he made it looked, or how strong the birch bark really was

This is great. This is exactly what we should be teaching our children. With the help of videos like this one I'm teaching myself these crafts. Thanks much.

Thank you for this, it's simply amazing. The amount of "man-hours" required, (no offense women, just a term and not meant to be sexist nor misogynistic), is confounding. This IS great technology utilizing nature. I truly respect the native cultures and people of North America. I'm happy that many have survived our recklessness, and sad that many have not. This video is quite mind blowing and educational. Again, thank you!

Ive made a couple hundred skateboards with high tech laminating presses and modern adhesives.... But i found the splitting and forming of the keel timber to be very interesting and a great learning experience. Thanks for creating and posting this here. :) What a beautiful wedding gift!

WoW, I have watched over 2500 videos on youtube in the last 2-3 years. I'll have to say, that is one of the most impressive videos I have ever seen. I would love to take part in one of his classes. Keep on teaching, its our future.

Wonderful program that includes woodworking techniques and history lessons.

I've always been fascinated with the Indian canoes in early westerns, 1930's John Wayne movies, Sgt Preston and so on, they look to be very authentic.

Outstanding,,, keep this craft alive

outstanding. this goes straight to favorites.

I thought I had seen it all..... Beautiful work & craftsmanship.

The Dufken Replica was built in Fremantle Western Australia by the same original method, the keel was laid then the hull planks fitted and then the frames were fitted to suit the hull. Amazing to watch the shipwrights bending such huge timbers over the longest barbecue in the world.

Very interesting and shows the true art involved with this masterpiece, thanks for the well presented video. All the time while watching I could just imagine some young man from long ago just waiting for the opportunity to peddle it down the river. How proud he and his teacher must have been.

A very skillful work of art.It is pleasing to see traditional craftsmanship kept alive. Bravo.

we need a class at the museum. It's super great.

Thank you so very much for producing this exemplary teaching video on this beautiful traditional çanoe Throughout the entire video I found myself longing to be in y'all company Good on you All happy Easter Cheers The Redfella in Tassie

How nice work. It is great that you guys help keep this tradition alive.

Like others, I also ended up watching this highly fascinating manufactoring video. There's nothing primitive about a Birchbark Canoe. On the contrary, it takes polished skills, a tremendous amount of experience and a large bucket of knowledge on how to find, prepare and use the various materials in order to succeed. And talking about materials, the Birchbark is impressive. Much like hardened and stiffened leather, but with plasticity included for the same price. Absolutely spectacular. I'm humbled and deeply impressed. Watching from Denmark, Scandinavia, I bow in respect and my honours goes to the Native Americans in the video. The world is flabbergastered by these exquisite ancient techniques as can be seen in the comments, mine of course included. Cheers everyone.

What a wonderful work of art and meditation. This has empowered me greatly. Many thanks.

It’s five in the morning and I’m watching this; why it appeared on my screen I don’t know. Made my heart soar to see this thing of beauty being created...

These folks have more respect for native culture than a lot of natives I’ve met. I hope these traditions get passed on generation to generation it’s very important for natives to understand their culture and to show the younger generations the same understanding. Much respect for First Nations , native Americans and people who show them the same respect for their knowledge of the traditions and culture. Some day if modern day “Rome” falls this knowledge is what will be important to human survival. Everything you need to survive and live is found in nature and somehow along the way humans have forgotten that.

in this day and age of 3D printing, your craftsmanship and style are really refreshing. Who makes stuff by hand these days? YOU do ... and how!

An ancient and beautiful craft that in many ways defines Canada. A labour of love. Especially with pre-metal technology. Excellent video. Who needs prime time cable when we can watch and learn.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of birch bark wood canoes, God bless amen.

Thankyou for amer peaple for keeping this traditional knowledge I love to see person work together in harmonies an love keep on

A great video! So glad I found it...I've watched it twice. This is a great demonstration of the ancient craft and how it was done. Hopefully, people will appreciate the efforts and the lessons of our history.

I just loved watching all of you .

WOW. I had no idea how those crafts were made. You have brought to life the harsh life those people were accustomed to which drastically contrast modern cultures. Thanks so much for this journey and for the wonderful narrative. I hope others will appreciate this

How beautiful

I have wondered all of my life how birch bark canoes were made, so this has been a treat to watch.

Thanks for sharing this valuable craft. I really enjoyed watching it.

Fantastic video. Loved to see the knowledge and expertise, but also hearing from the archeologists and anthropologists as well. Very educational and inspirational.

These canoes are better than the modern ones!

A wonderful and educational video! Thank you for keeping the traditions alive.

OMG! That is a work of art! I would love to be seen cannoeing in that thing, but at the same time I would want to keep it forever lol

I've watched this before, but it's interesting enough to watch more than once. This time I noticed more information that I'd missed the first time. The construction techniques used in constructing this canoe show probably generations of development and improvements, and show a real knowledge of the local materials, and their individual characteristics, that suit them to each purpose. I found the method of tensioning the bark with the ribs particularly interesting, together with lining the inside with ceder veneers, prior to the installation of the ribs. Even more impressive is the fact that it was about a weeks work, and all with very simple tools.

What a wonderful experience watching this video was, Thank you for sharing this.

wonderful knowledge preserved ,great teacher makes it all happen for the future of mankind well done

Wow!!! Our museum has several authentic birch bark canoes - two on display. Our displays aim to educate on the Fur Trade and summer transportation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The waves on Lake Superior were so big, the canoes had to be massive! Our collection contains a canoe possibly designed for a child, a fishing canoe, and a regular one used by the manager and president of Duluth South Shore & Atlantic Railway. Awesome video by the way, thanks for giving us an excuse to gush!

Absolutely amazing, glad that you are preserving, and passing on your knowledge.

such a nice mixture of science, craftsmanship, cultural identity and political statement! If I would not be a scientist I would love to be a carpenter and boat-builder... wood is such a marvelous material! In sub-antarctic south america we had a similar canoe-building tradition, which unluckily disappeared as the last indigenous peoples also became extinct... you are paving the road for things to come!

This video was excellent in every way. Fascinating, well delivered, charming and filled with respect. Bravo.