Red Cedar

(inner bark)

(small tree)

(large tree or cedar log)

What it looks like

Red cedars grow to 60 meters tall and the leaves are a lighter green than yellow cedars. The tips of the branches are not prickly when rubbed. The cones are oblong and turn from green to brown as they mature.

What it was used for

Known as the "tree of life", the Kwakwaka'wakw used every part of the tree for most of their tools and other items needed to survive.

Wood

The wood was used to make planks, houses, house posts, settees, totem poles, talking sticks, masks, tools, drums, canoes, bent boxes and cradles. Some of these items are still made of red cedar wood today.

Roots

The roots were used to make cooking baskets, clam baskets and berry picking baskets.

Bark and Pitch

The bark was woven into baskets, mats and clothes as well as rope, dip nets and halibut line. The unprocessed cedar bark was used to make canoe bailers.

Branches

The withes (smaller branches that hang down from the main branch) were used for lashing and sewing. When used for sewing they were soaked in urine for four days to soften the fibres and make them resistant to rotting.