Birch trees were important for aboriginal people in the Fort Nelson area. They had several uses. Bark o good for fire starter o baskets, bowls, plates, pot (household use) o used for the outside lining of a canoe (inside layer was spruce bark) o first layer used as roofing o boiled and used as medicine Wood o used to make utensils, sleds, snowshoes, paddles, clubs axe handles, canoes o decayed wood used to tan moosehide         Photograph provided by Larry Burke Sap o sap, sour tasting o usually extracted in spring when sap is "running" o boiled down to a syrup like maple syrup [used if no water nearby] Model by Larry Burke available at the R.L. Angus Learning Resources Centre         Miniature Birch Bark Canoe         Model by Larry Burke available at the R.L. Angus Learning Resources Centre Photograph provided by Fort Nelson Friendship Centre         Woven Birch Bark Basket Solid Birch Bark Basket         Photograph provided by Judith Desjarlais Photograph provided by Larry Burke         Birch Cooking Utensils Birch Dog Sled         Model by Larry Burke available at the R.L. Angus Learning Resources Centre Photograph provided by Larry Burke         Birch Bark Moosecall more about birch bark . . .

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