Birch Bark Baskets

It is early summer, the snow is gone and the sap is running. A tall birch tree with few limbs is spotted among the Willow trees. The air is moist, making the bark soft and easy to peel - perfect for making a birch bark basket. A shallow vertical cut is made into the birch tree about three feet long, and the bark is carefully peeled away. This bark will be turned into an exquisite hand crafted birch bark basket made by one of the women of Fort Liard in the Deh Cho region of the NWT.

The process of making a birch bark basket is very labour intensive. From harvesting the birch bark and the spruce tree roots, to separating and dying porcupine quills to the traditional assembly, a large embellished basket can takes many hours to complete.

First, the bark is cut using a pattern. Next, a quill design is determined. The pattern is drawn on the bark and an awl is used to punch holes where the quills will be inserted. The process of sewing quills into the bark can be painstaking. The result is simply beautiful.

Once the quillwork is done, the bark must be moistened and held over a fire to soften. The awl is used to poke the holes needed for sewing the basket together. Small pieces of wood are inserted to help keep the basket’s form.

A piece of birch bark trim is cut with patterned scissors and fitted around the top of the basket. Willow is then measured for the top edge of the basket. Spruce root is laced up and over the willow, creating a very strong seam and completing the basket.

For centuries, the women of Fort Liard have been hand crafting these multi-purpose baskets for use as storage, tableware and cookware. Today, these baskets are desirable works of art displayed in the home, and are sold to collectors around the world.

Items

Bowl Basket

Large Berry Collecting Basket

Large Treasure Basket with Lid

Mini Berry Collecting Basket

Treasure Basket with Lid

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