Birchbark Canoe builder

Ma photo
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

samedi 16 mars 2013

Steve's Moose Call

 Moose call made by Steve, one on my friend and aprrentice.  The winter bark design is particularly well made!

vendredi 13 janvier 2012

14 footer Algonquin canoe



This is a 14 footer made for a customer in Vancouver, built in 2011.



jeudi 12 janvier 2012

test

hello

lundi 1 novembre 2010

Birchbark canoe model for sale





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$

vendredi 24 septembre 2010

algonquin birchbark canoe







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!

mercredi 31 mars 2010

Algonkin old style canoe




the finished canoe


bent ribs inside the canoe, algonkin style



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,

mercredi 6 janvier 2010

birchbark container






Malecite Birchbark baskets made in 2009. Double curved design and animals ( moose mainly)