Single racing canoe

The Healing Canoe Project

By Beau Wagner and Manny Sampson

The Healing Canoe Project has been inspired by the late Master Carver, Elmer Sampson. Elmer dedicated his life to canoe carving. He inspired the local youth to compete in traditional racing by gifting his canoes and sharing his knowledge to the younger generation.

The Healing Canoe Project has two main goals. The first goal is aimed to teach the community and youth about our local Coast Salish traditions, by using historic tools, ancestral techniques, traditional protocols, and ceremonies.

The second goal is to honor what my elders have given me by celebrating and promoting our canoe culture. I believe we can reconnect families back into the local waters.

In honor of Elmer Sampson, I wish to revisit the tradition of “canoe currency” by reawakening the traditional canoe culture, and inspiring the community to gift canoes to local families and youth at risk.

Water is life.

Learning Objectives: To celebrate and learn protocols in Canoe Building and Coast Salish Culture, Hulquminum language, chainsaw and hand tool safety and skills.

Description of Project

Estimated time line – 160 to 200 hours

Week 1- Blessing of log, facility, students and mentors.

– Laying down lines/drafting and design using traditional techniques – roughing out canoe

Week 2 – Rough shaping

Week 3 – Final thinning and sanding – Fine wood working

Week 4 – Fine wood working

– Canoe joinery (kickers, supports, breast hook)

Week 5 – Fibre glassing – Painting

Week 6 – Waxing

– Launch Day

Single Dugout Racing Canoe Proposal (21ft – 20″ beam 10″ depth)

Project Budget Estimated Price: $15,700 – $21,900) 160 – 200 hours

Breakdown:

Deposit Total: $7,700

Log and Transport – $1400 Materials/Supplies – $1000 Protocols – $500

Two weeks wage – $4800

Cost w/ Facility (160 hours)

$80 per hour(Wage, WCB, Tool Maintenance Costs) Est. Total = $15,700

– Set-up 1 hour

– Carve for 3 hours

– Clean-up 1 hr

– Tool Maintenance 1hr Total: 6 hours per day

Cost for Mobile (200 hours)

$95 per hour(Wage, WCB, Tool Maintenance Costs, Daily Log Transport and Tool Costs) Est. Total = $21,900

– Set-up 1 hour

– Carve for 3 hours

– Clean-up 2 hr

– Tool Maintenance 1hr Total: 7 hours per day

The canoe healing Project has been inspired by Master carver Elmer Sampson. He dedicated his life to canoe carving, inspiring the youth to compete in traditional racing and gifting of canoes.

In honor of his memory and life’s work, we wish to revisit this tradition by inspiring the youth to bring back the canoe currency. This tradition by reawakening the traditional canoe culture.