Birch bark (Wiigwaas) is one of the most versatile and culturally significant materials in the northern forest, traditionally used for everything from canoes to storage baskets (makakoon). In this hands-on workshop, participants step away from modern plastics and connect with natural, sustainable materials. Students will learn the cultural protocols of harvesting, the physical properties of the bark, and the traditional techniques used to fold, shape, and stitch the material into a beautiful, functional piece of art. Class includes the story of how the birch bark got its marks, Ojibwe traditional uses of birch trees, and a simple overview of birch tree physiology.

Birch bark (Wiigwaas) is one of the most versatile and culturally significant materials in the northern forest, traditionally used for everything from canoes to storage baskets (makakoon). In this hands-on workshop, participants step away from modern plastics and connect with natural, sustainable materials. Students will learn the cultural protocols of harvesting, the physical properties of the bark, and the traditional techniques used to fold, shape, and stitch the material into a beautiful, functional piece of art. Class includes the story of how the birch bark got its marks, Ojibwe traditional uses of birch trees, and a simple overview of birch tree physiology.

Birch bark (Wiigwaas) is one of the most versatile and culturally significant materials in the northern forest, traditionally used for everything from canoes to storage baskets (makakoon). In this hands-on workshop, participants step away from modern plastics and connect with natural, sustainable materials. Students will learn the cultural protocols of harvesting, the physical properties of the bark, and the traditional techniques used to fold, shape, and stitch the material into a beautiful, functional piece of art. Class includes the story of how the birch bark got its marks, Ojibwe traditional uses of birch trees, and a simple overview of birch tree physiology.