History and design Sturgeon-nosed canoe
the sturgeon-nosed canoe designed reversed prow suitable travel through bulrushes, , maneuverable in turbulent waters.
author eileen delehanty pearkes records in book sinixt, geography of memory, ethnographer william elmendorf recorded process of making sturgeon-nosed canoe based on description sinixt nation elder nancy wynecoop: mature tree must felled in spring, when sap running. outer bark scraped off, inner bark split , peeled off heartwood in 1 sheet. outside shape of canoe marked on ground stakes. poles used gunwales fastened these stakes. next, willow ribs fastened gunwales, using willow bark twine. bark sewn onto ribs, using cedar root. additional layer of bark fastened less securely on outer side of craft. seams glues warm pine pitch. 1 bow , stern of canoe, bark folded on rings of willow. layers added strength, shaped point, , sewn. frame of woven poles placed in bottom of canoe , covered loose grass sit on.
elmendorf refers ceremony, including dancing, fasting , sweatbathing, held sinixt men prior building of new canoe. purpose of ceremony make group more agreeable each other , focus energy .
the sturgeon-nose design unique north american canoes, craft of similar design discovered in amur river region of siberia in mid-19th century.
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