Traditional baskets for collecting sap a hit

By Rick Garrick

A birchbark container suitable for collecting maple syrup was on display at the year’s Chapman’s Gas Bar Christmas Craft Sale in Fort William First Nation.

“I made that after our spring boil from the maple trees,” says Fort William’s Gail Bannon. “I thought wouldn’t it be nice to see birchbark baskets hanging on maple trees collecting the sap as they (once) did. They didn’t have what we have, aluminum (pails).”

Bannon wants to try out a couple of birchbark containers this upcoming spring in the maple bush.

“I can’t make a hundred of them, but I wouldn’t mind making one or two baskets that we can collect the sap in,” Bannon says.

Bannon says birchbark containers were even used during the boiling process for making maple syrup.

“Can you imagine back in the day when they were boiling the sap with birchbark,” Bannon says. “That’s what it was used for.”

Bannon sold a variety of birchbark crafts during the craft sale, including birchbark baskets, clipboards, knife sheathes and book covers. The annual craft sale was held on Dec. 19 and 20.

“I look forward to this craft sale every year,” Bannon says. “I don’t get out much to the (other) sales, but I always make the Chapman’s sale.”

Bannon collects all of her materials from the land, including birchbark and roots.

“Everything is natural,” Bannon says. “(With) this birchbark, you can make anything. We saw it over the summertime with the birchbark canoe (constructed by youth on Mt. McKay). We made our housing from birchbark.”

Bannon says her sales were “pretty good” at the craft sale.

“My table is almost empty,” Bannon says. “I’ve probably sold about 60 per cent of my stuff already, so I don’t know how much I’m going to have tomorrow. I might have to make a few more.”

Fort William’s Christian Chapman, one of the craft sale organizers, says the turnout of craftspeople, vendors and customers has been increasing each year.

“There is definitely a good buzz going around,” Chapman says. “We have talented vendors here and that resonates in the community.”

Wikwemikong’s Paul Francis, who lives in Thunder Bay, says the craft sale was “really good.”

“This show is growing — it’s been steady all day,” Francis says. “Things have been flying off the table here, too.”

Francis sold 10 medicine wheels for $10 each on the first day of the craft sale. He also had a variety of dreamcatchers, ranging from two-inches to six-inches in diameter, medicine pouches, beaded necklaces, earrings and leatherwork for sale.

“I make all my stuff so I can set my price,” Francis says. “I try to be fair to the customer.”

Rocky Bay’s Shaun Hedican sold “quite a few” of his paintings and screen prints on the first day of the craft sale.

“It’s awesome — it’s a great community event at Chapman’s,” Hedican says. “It seems to be growing quite a bit every year. I really enjoy some of the beadwork some of the ladies brought in, in particular the mitts.”

Fort William’s Cheryl Szyja enjoys the atmosphere at the craft sale. She had a variety of beaded earrings for sale made by her and her daughter.

“I like seeing the fact that everyone is all together, where people can pick up all different kinds of locally hand-made creations,” Szyja says. “(There’s been) tons of people — it’s been very busy all day.”