This week we’re taking a closer look at the White Birch, a species that extends across all provinces and territories of Canada except Nunavut! White Birch, also known as Paper Birch, need full sun to grow — stands of birch often arise in areas recently cleared of other vegetation. Indigenous peoples from what is now called North America have used the bark of White Birch for thousands of years. Uses include the making of canoes, baskets, containers, and wigwams. In 2018 and 2019 Algonquin canoe builder, Chuck Commanda, built birchbark canoes at Murphys Point. Are you interested in learning about how to make a canoe out of materials found within the park? Visit our the ‘Canoe Build Videos’ tab on our website to check out video footage of the 2018 canoe build, as well as updates regarding upcoming Indigenous programming at Murphys Point.