By Scout Nelson
White Earth 4-H youth, families, and community members collaborated in summer 2024 to construct a 15 ½ foot birchbark canoe. Known as jiimaan in Ojibwe, the canoe project fostered cultural pride, leadership skills, and sustainability awareness.
Over two weeks at Little Elbow Lake Tribal Park, 250 participants, including youth from summer school programs, joined the effort. Activities included learning about traditional foods, fishing, art, and language. On the first day of construction, the youth named the canoe Buffalo Thunder during a storm.
Initiated as part of Minnesota 4-H STEM, the canoe build highlighted its role as an essential tool for harvesting Indigenous foods near northern water systems. Youth also explored food security issues, which disproportionately impact Indigenous communities.
The canoe crew spent two months gathering materials directly from nature. Birchbark was harvested for the skin, cedar for the ribs, and spruce roots to bind the canoe—showcasing traditional methods without nails or screws. “It was a lot of time learning in the woods and some bug bites,” shared a 4-H educator.
The canoe debuted at the Minnesota State Fair, where youth showcased their craftsmanship and shared the process in Ojibwe. The project will be featured in a PBS documentary in 2025, highlighting its role in traditional wild rice harvesting.
The experience continued with a trip to Washington, D.C., where teens presented at the True Leaders in Equity Institute, focusing on their community service work and cultural heritage.
“Whether building a canoe or any other project, youth learn leadership and pride in their culture,” noted a program educator. This initiative empowered participants to embrace their heritage and achieve meaningful goals.
Photo Credit:4-H
Categories: Minnesota, General