The Kootenai Canoe
Naida Lefthand, Regina Sievert , and Julie Cajune
Flathead Indian Reservation, Pablo, MT

Summary
Students explore the properties of wood and predict which types were used in making Kootenai canoes.

Grade level  
Second

Time required  
90 minutes, plus a fieldtrip

Materials
Pieces of wood, bark and twigs from various types of indigenous trees
Large tubs of water
Science journals
Photo of a Kootenai canoe (also see web sites)
Balance or scale
Eyedroppers
Photos of indigenous trees

Goals
By completing this lesson, students will

1. examine the properties of various types of wood,
2. learn about the design of the Kootenai canoe and its use by the Kootenai people and
3. gain experience in designing and implementing experiments.

Science standards addressed
National Science Standards

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Properties of objects and materials
• Abilities of technological design
• Science and technology in local challenges
• Science as a human endeavor
• Evidence, models and explanation

American Indian Science Standards

• Problem solving skills demonstrated by historical American Indians in the development and improvement of tools and technologies, such as in pottery technology
• The innate properties of objects and materials that were (and are) recognized by traditional Native American cultures in the manufacture and use of specific tools and material objects that capitalize upon those properties

Teacher tips
To arrange fieldtrips and speakers on the Kootenai canoe, contact the Kootenai Culture Committee in Elmo, Montana.   The People's Center tribal museum also has many resources on canoes, including a canoe exhibit, and a video on the actual making of a Kootenai canoe from start (collecting the wood) to finish.   The video is long, so preview it and select sections for student viewing.

During the experiment, students should be testing for properties of the wood conducive to making a canoe including buoyancy, waterproofness, light weight, and flexibility.   Try to get a variety of woods, including white bark pine, serviceberry, and spruce which were used historically by the Kootenai people to make their unique canoes.

In addition to the Kootenai canoe photo that accompanies this lesson, pictures of other native canoes can be found at the web sites listed in the Resources section.

Background information
The canoe is an ingenious invention developed by Native people of North America.   It was a significant part of the traditional lifestyle of many indigenous cultures, particularly those that lived near water.   It was an indispensable mode of transportation and was used for social visits, trading, hunting, exploring and warfare.

Canoe designs and the materials used to make them vary widely among the tribes of North America.   The canoe's importance to indigenous people made the person who had the skill and knowledge to build a canoe an important member of the tribe.   Europeans who came to North American were so impressed by the canoe that they adopted it quickly.   Ironically, it became a major tool for exploration and expansion by non-native people into indigenous lands, particularly by fur traders.

The Kootenai people have lived in northwestern North America for thousands of years.   Historically, the canoe was an integral part of their traditional lifestyle, used for transportation and especially for fishing.   The Kootenai sturgeon nosed canoe was unique in its design.   The ends of the canoes were extended and pointed, presumably to provide better stability in water.   When people or freight was loaded in the canoe, the middle of the boat bent, bringing the points up out of the water.

The Kootenai people used specific types of wood, gathered from local forests, for each part of their canoes.   The frame was made from spruce wood, which is strong yet flexible for bending into ribs.   The bark covering came from the white bark pine and/or birch, and was spaced so that it provided a natural waterproofing.   Any leaks that did occur were patched with tree sap.   The twine used to lace the canoe together was commonly made from serviceberry bark.

Procedure
Engagement

1. Invite a Kootenai elder to talk about the significance of the canoe to the Kootenai culture.
2. Show students pictures of various types of native canoes.   Ask them to describe the differences they observe in each design.   Discuss the Kootenai sturgeon nosed canoe.
3. Ask students for predictions about the types of materials used to making native canoes.   Assist them in brainstorming the properties that would be required in materials used in making a canoe; make a list of their ideas.   Use the vocabulary terms in the context of the discussion.

Exploration

1. Divide students into pairs.   Tell students that they are going to design an experiment to choose the types of wood best suited for making a canoe.   Assist them in making a data table in their science journals for recording their work.   Refer back to the properties chart.   Have them draw/write about their experimental plan in their journals.   Encourage them to use the vocabulary words.
2. Make tree parts samples, tubs of water and other materials available to students.   Encourage them to investigate the properties of flexibility, waterproofness, light weight and buoyancy.   Remind them to record their observations.

Explanation

1. Ask each student to draw a canoe in their journals and label it with the types of wood they would use to build it.
2. Have students share their results and conclusions with the class.
3. Show students photos of the trees used in making the Kootenai canoe and discuss.

Elaboration
Visit the Kootenai Culture Committee or People's Center to learn about and see examples of native canoes.   View the video on the making of a Kootenai canoe.

Evaluation

1. Evaluate student learning based on their oral presentation, their journal drawings and writings. Look for evidence of accurate vocabulary use and conceptual understanding.
2. Observe students as they work together.   Evaluate their ability to use the process skills (planning, observation, testing, recording of data, drawing conclusions) and work cooperatively with others.   Look for evidence of habits of mind such logical thinking, use of evidence, perseverance, etc.

Vocabulary
buoyant                            flexible                 waterproof                      light weight

Resources
Web sites
The Creston Valley Historical Museum - Excellent historic photo of a Kootenai canoe
www.crestonvalley.com/museum/canoe.html

The Canadian Museum of Civilization - Text and pictures of Kootenai sturgeon-nosed canoe, along with other native watercraft.
www.civilization.ca/aborig/watercraft/wab05eng.html

Native Web - Contains numerous links to native canoes sites.   Go to "Crafts and Technology", then to "Plants, Trees and Wood", then to "Canoes".
www.nativeweb.org