Canoe Paddle Item Number: A1559 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wood paddle, undecorated, with a long narrow blade. Handle grip is made from a seperate piece of wood. The blade of the paddle is long and ovoid in shape.
History Of Use
Anthropologist Homer Barnett notes that: "Paddles were made of yellow cedar, yew and maple. Those of maple and cedar were painted, the mem's being black, the women's red. A smoky pitch fire and oil gave an impenetrable black. Ocher or an alder-bark infusion supplied the red. Practically, the colouration protected the wood and, so some say, prevented the glint of sunlight on a moving paddle (1955:116)." This style of paddle would have been used by a man.
Cultural Context
water travel
Narrative
The shape of this paddle is similar to one described by anthropologist Homer Barnett, which was used on the river during rough weather. He refers to it as a steersman's paddle (see 1955:117, figure 50). Women's paddles have rounded blades, similar to this one, but they are generally shorter in length.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1934
- Collected in Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada between 1893 and 1934
- Owned by George Henry Raley before November 1948
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller) during November 1948
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo
- Previous Owner
- George Henry Raley
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1934
- Collection Date
- between 1893 and 1934
- Ownership Date
- before November 1948
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1948
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 3
- Accession Number
- 1960/0074