Canoe Paddle Item Number: A8171 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wood paddle with a long oval-shaped blade and no handle grip. Paddle is painted with a flat green paint.
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)."
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
- Collected in North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada during 1950
- Owned by Edith Bevan Cross before July 30, 1962
- Received from Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) on July 30, 1962
What
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Saanich
- Previous Owner
- Edith Bevan Cross
- Received from
- Edith Bevan Cross (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- during 1950
- Ownership Date
- before July 30, 1962
- Acquisition Date
- on July 30, 1962
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 3
- Accession Number
- 0081/0026 c