Day-to-Day Life 
Thousands traveled the 120 miles of the Fraser River to trade goods, get to hunting or fishing sites or visit neighbours. Three types of red-cedar canoes were used on the river and building them took skill and hours of work.
An enormous amount of energy was required to fell massive, ancient trees. The process involved work parties of several men, lasting several days. Before beginning work on the tree loggers wanted to be certain that they selected the right tree and it was suitable for the intended purpose. Canoe-makers ritually fasted and prayed that they would select the right tree.
The Nootka canoe was the largest at forty feet in length and was capable of carrying sixty people. The most typical all purpose canoe was a variant of the Nootka canoe that was fifteen to thirty feet and carried up to 10 people. The shovel-nose canoe was different in design with a flat bottom that worked well in swift cross-currents but was not made for rough water.
Canoes were preserved with hot bear oil and decorated with a form of iron pigment that was a brick red color. The red brick powder was made by burning red rust deposits found in streams. The powder was mixed with oil and applied to the inside and outside of the canoe.
Paddles were carved from maple and poles made of fir and sometimes cedar were carried in all types of canoes and used in shallow water. Sails were made of coarsely woven cedar bark, bulrushes, or sometimes blankets were used.
To do the fine work in canoe and paddle building a tool called an adze was used. Bailers for the canoes were made of folded cedar bark with cross handles.
Chief's Party - Qagyuhl
Source: Northwestern University Library
Photo by: E.S. Curtis
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