the Final moments in making a Haida dugout canoe in the San Juan Islands
After carving from a single large Douglas fir trunk, final preparations are made and the canoe can then begin to assume its classic shape. By securing the hull off the ground and partially filling with water, fire-hot stones are added from nearby fires. The dugout is covered and steamed, allowing the wood to soften, expand, and settle.
Even with all the care and under a knowing watchful eye, not all goes as planned.
