How to create birchbark or dugout canoes
  • 1. What is the primary material used for the outer hull of a birchbark canoe?
A) Canvas
B) Birch bark
C) Cedar planks
D) Animal hides
  • 2. What material is traditionally used to sew the birchbark panels together?
A) Cotton thread
B) Wire
C) Spruce root
D) Pine needles
  • 3. What is used to seal the seams of a birchbark canoe to make it waterproof?
A) Beeswax
B) Rubber sealant
C) Pine pitch
D) Mud
  • 4. What wood is commonly used for the ribs and gunwales of a birchbark canoe?
A) Cedar
B) Maple
C) Oak
D) Pine
  • 5. What is the first step in building a dugout canoe?
A) Shaping the exterior
B) Selecting a suitable log
C) Adding seats
D) Carving the interior
  • 6. What tool is traditionally used for hollowing out a dugout canoe?
A) Adze
B) Chisel
C) Axe
D) Saw
  • 7. What is done to a dugout canoe after initial hollowing to refine its shape?
A) Sanding
B) Painting
C) Varnishing
D) Controlled burning
  • 8. Which tree is most commonly used for dugout canoes in the Pacific Northwest?
A) Western Red Cedar
B) Douglas Fir
C) Ponderosa Pine
D) Sitka Spruce
  • 9. What is the purpose of 'soaking' the birch bark before using it?
A) To remove insects
B) To make it waterproof
C) To add color
D) To make it pliable
  • 10. How is the birch bark typically harvested?
A) Cutting down the tree
B) Carefully peeling it in the spring
C) Stripping it randomly
D) Burning the bark off
  • 11. What is the role of the 'gunwales' in a canoe?
A) To provide structural support along the top edge
B) To provide seating
C) To act as a rudder
D) To decorate the canoe
  • 12. What is 'sheathing' in a birchbark canoe?
A) The pitch sealant
B) The layer inside the bark for support.
C) The paddle
D) The outer layer of bark
  • 13. What is the benefit of burning during dugout canoe construction?
A) It protects the canoe from insects
B) It hardens the wood
C) It weakens the wood for easier removal.
D) It makes the canoe lighter
  • 14. How are dugout canoes typically propelled?
A) Motors
B) Paddles
C) Oars
D) Sails
  • 15. What is a 'crooked knife' used for in canoe building?
A) Cutting birch bark
B) Applying pitch
C) Sewing seams
D) Detailed carving and shaping of wood
  • 16. What is the primary function of the 'ribs' in a birchbark canoe?
A) To give the bark its shape and strength
B) To provide seating
C) To decorate the canoe
D) To hold the gunwales
  • 17. Why is cedar preferred for canoe ribs?
A) It is lightweight and flexible
B) It is readily available
C) It is resistant to fire
D) It is very hard and durable
  • 18. What helps keep the bark on a birchbark canoe from cracking?
A) Frequent waxing
B) Regular painting
C) Exposure to sunlight
D) Proper curing and sealant
  • 19. What is an awl used for when making a birchbark canoe?
A) Cutting bark
B) Applying pitch
C) Making holes for sewing
D) Smoothing surfaces
  • 20. What is the role of the keel in canoe construction?
A) Holds the seats
B) Aids in steering
C) Provides stability and strengthens the bottom
D) Acts as a rudder
  • 21. Which of these is NOT a traditional material for birchbark canoe construction?
A) Metal fasteners
B) Spruce root
C) Birch bark
D) Cedar
  • 22. Why are paddles often shaped to be asymmetrical?
A) Improved efficiency
B) Easier storage
C) Reduced weight
D) Better aesthetics
  • 23. What is the purpose of steaming wood in canoe building?
A) To make it more pliable for bending
B) To waterproof the wood
C) To kill insects in the wood
D) To add color to the wood
  • 24. What is 'hogging' in relation to dugout canoes?
A) A specific type of paddle
B) Warpage or deformation of the hull
C) A method of steering
D) The process of applying pitch
  • 25. Which direction should the grain run in birch bark when layering?
A) Perpendicular to the ribs
B) It doesn't matter
C) Parallel to the ribs
D) Diagonally across the ribs
  • 26. Why is the inside of a dugout canoe often charred?
A) To add color
B) To make it stronger
C) To make it lighter
D) To protect it from rot
  • 27. What type of pitch is preferred for sealing birchbark canoes?
A) Asphalt-based pitch
B) Coal tar pitch
C) Petroleum-based pitch
D) A blend of pine resin, charcoal, and fat
  • 28. What is the primary advantage of a birchbark canoe?
A) Durability
B) Light weight
C) Capacity
D) Speed
  • 29. What is the main disadvantage of a dugout canoe?
A) Expensive to build
B) Prone to leaks
C) Easily damaged
D) Heavy and difficult to transport
  • 30. What should be done with a dugout canoe during storage to prevent cracking?
A) Wrap it tightly in plastic
B) Store it in direct sunlight
C) Keep it partially filled with water.
D) Coat it with oil
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