Canoes

A beautifully handcrafted birchbark canoe, called the Mino-Mashkiki, Ojibway for “good medicine,” is found in the most unusual place—the rotunda of Kitchener’s City Hall in Ontario.

All I know about the canoe is that it was built along the Grand River in 2009 and was given as a gift to the people of Kitchener from an Aboriginal organization, Healing of the Seven Generations.

The gift was given in “the spirit of appreciation, support and friendship” says the plaque next to the canoe.

Often, canoes can sometimes be found in the most interesting of places—from pawn shops to art galleries. Where is the most interesting place, you’ve found a canoe?

To read about the Tumblehome columnist James Raffan's experience of finding an ancient birchbark canoe online go to: www.canoerootsmag.com/canoerootsmag_spring10/

Photo Credit: Carolyn Pratt