The sight of birch logs and wafts of cedar aren’t part of the typical sensory experience one might expect to find at the library, but for Trent students, this is a common sight recently in the iconic Bata library.  Through the artist-in-residence program organized by Trent’s Indigenous Studies Ph.D. program and the Indigenous Studies department, students, staff, faculty and community members are invited to join in—wiigwossi jiimaanke—building a birchbark canoe.

"Our wiigwossi jiimaan will be a both living being, and a functional vehicle. Building this jiimaan together, as a community and guided by artists-in-residence Kevin Finney and Jillian Collins, will connect and reconnect us to the land, the trees, and the water, as well as to each other. As our hands work with the natural materials, our hearts and minds will interact. We will visit sharing stories and knowledges, as we create," explains Brenda Maracle O'Toole, one of the organizers of the program.

“It’s been fantastic to have so many students, staff, faculty and community members come and be around the project, and take part,” said Mr. Finney, who is helping to bring Indigenous Knowledge to the broader Trent community. “Most of the work done so far has been directed by me, but it’s been the hands of lots of people coming together to make this. It’s a rare knowledge, and we’re trying to revive it, so people are excited.”

Construction of the birchbark canoe is taking place daily in the Bata Library atrium and is expected to be completed by February 20. This project was made possible by the generous contributions of many people at Trent who offered their knowledge, time, expertise or financial support.