Canoe Bailer Item Number: A8070 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large canoe bailer with wooden handle. Outer bark remains on interior surface, but has been removed from both ends where the bark has been pleated. The pleated ends are secured to the wooden handle with strips of a different type of bark, which has more knots in it and is more reddish in colour. The pleated ends are tall and extend up past the wooden handle.
History Of Use
Canoe bailers are used to remove excess water out of the bottom of canoes. Barnett notes: "The implement was effective as a scoop rather than as a dipper, and as such could be manipulated rapidly. The Cowichans and Nanaimo added a large wooden ladle for bailing (1955:116)."
Cultural Context
water travel
Specific Techniques
Canoe bailers are made from rectangular pieces of cedar bark. The bark is harvested from living trees in the spring when the sap is running, usually between May and June. A prayer, and sometimes an offering, is made to the tree for the gift of its skin. An incision is made with an axe, or other bladed implement, and the bark is peeled off by pulling from side to side. It is better to peel the tree this way, because it will result in a wider piece. If you pull straight back from the tree the bark will quickly narrow to a thin strip. Only the width of two hands is taken so that no harm will be done to the tree. The canoe bailer is made from a short rectangular piece, and the outer bark is removed from the end portions. The pliable ends are pleated and secured to a handle with strips of cedar bark or some other type of twine. The bark ties on this bailer are similar in appearance to wild cherry bark.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada between 1950 and 1962
- Owned by Brenton Family
- 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: Quwutsun'
- Previous Owner
- Brenton Family and 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
- Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- between 1950 and 1962
- Ownership Date
- before July 30, 1962
- Acquisition Date
- on July 30, 1962
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 7
- Accession Number
- 0081/0117 a