Home  | Traditional Kayaks  | Baker Lake Kayak

 The following series of photos were taken by Eugene Arima in the 1960's during

his studies of the people, culture, and kayaks from the Baker Lake area. The work resulted in

"A  Contextual Study of the Caribou Eskimo Kayak", published by the National

Museum of Canada in 1975. The photos chronicle the preparation of materials

and the construction of a Caribou Kayak by people from the Baker Lake

community. The work relied to a large extent on the experience and memories

of older members of the community. As one can see, it was a project that brought

many people together resurrecting a vanishing part of their heritage.

No tape measure is used but our builder can locate the cockpit position.

This piece of wood will probably be cut up and provide a large portion of the

kayaks components.

Building the gunnels and the bow piece.

 The ribs were probably boiled and then bent before installation.

No batteries are needed for this portable drill.

A little planning session and a smoke beside the nearly finished frame.

Details of the finished bow showing how material was pieced together.

Planning and piecing together the hide covering.

The woman traditionally sewed the covering on the frames.

The whole community pitches in to complete the kayak.

The finished kayak.

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