I built my first birchbark canoe in 1999, since than it became a real passion. I try to build the next canoe better than the previous one. I always want to improve my skill and follow the example of many Native builders who had amazing craftmanship. I learned entirely by myself to build full size birchbark canoes, canoe scale models and other Native cultural material. My most valuable reference is a book written by Edwin Tappan Adney who wrote «Bark Canoes And Skin Boats of North America».
I sell all of my canoes, I take orders and I can build canoes to your liking. In the following pages, you can have a good idea of the quality of my canoes.You can contact me to have any information about my birchbark canoes including prices, building tips or any special demand.
François Rothan
email me at:
franz_rothan@yahoo.com
Malecite 1/3 scale model for sale, it is 6 feet long, 12 inches wide. It includes a scale model paddle, salmon spear and moose call. Extensive winter bark etching on side pannels and deck flap. Price : 1800$
My last birch bark canoe built with apprentice and owner Louis David. It is 15 feet and 4 inches long, 33 inches wide and 13 inches deep. With the canoe, he is going to paddle the fur trade road from Lake Winnipeg to Artic Ocean!
ribs being placed in order of size waiting to be bend
side pannel sewing , inwale and outwale pegging
inwale shaping
High ends , Attikameg style or tête de boules
bending the bark around the frame
frame on the bark roll
This is an algonkin old style canoe ordered from a customer in Quebec city. It has high ends, slightly flared sides and overlapped planking inside. It is a 13 footer, the bark is from New Brunswick,