The quality of a finished basket is shaped as much by material choice as by technique. Basket weavers across Canada work with a range of plant-derived fibres — each with different flexibility, strength, and preparation requirements. Understanding where these materials come from, when to harvest them, and how to process them is knowledge accumulated through practice and, historically, through direct transmission from experienced makers.
Sweetgrass
Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata, also known by the Anishinaabe name wiingaashk) is one of the most recognisable basketry materials in eastern Canada. It grows in moist lowland areas, along river banks and marsh edges, and is particularly associated with basketry traditions in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Quebec.
Harvesting timing matters considerably. Sweetgrass is typically gathered in late summer, before the first frost, when the blades are long and the moisture content has dropped enough to allow even drying. Pulling — rather than cutting — is the traditional harvest method, which leaves the root intact and allows regrowth. The plant is listed as a species of concern in parts of its range, so sustainable gathering practices are emphasised by contemporary Indigenous harvesters.
After harvest, the grass is bundled loosely and hung to dry in a shaded, well-ventilated space. Dried sweetgrass can be stored for extended periods and re-dampened before use. Its characteristic vanilla-like scent, which comes from the compound coumarin, fades somewhat after processing but remains detectable in finished work for years.
Black Ash
Black ash (Fraxinus nigra) has long been used for splint basketry, particularly in Mi’kmaq, Maliseet (Wolastoqiyik), and Haudenosaunee traditions in the Maritimes and the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region. The species grows in wet forests and along stream edges, tolerating seasonal flooding that most other hardwoods cannot.
Producing ash splints requires substantial physical effort. A section of trunk is pounded repeatedly with a mallet — traditionally a wooden maul, now often a rubber hammer — which causes the wood to separate along its annual growth rings. The resulting thin sheets are then cut or split into narrower strips of uniform width. The width and thickness of the splints determine how fine the finished weave will be.
Black ash has been significantly affected by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), an invasive species that has killed large numbers of ash trees across eastern Canada. Several Indigenous communities and cultural organisations are engaged in preservation efforts. See the Canadian Forest Service for background: natural-resources.canada.ca/forests
Cedar Bark and Root
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) provides two distinct basketry materials: the inner bark, used in plaited and twined work, and the root, used in coiled baskets. Both are central to basketry traditions in coastal British Columbia and among nations of the Pacific Northwest.
Harvesting cedar bark is done in late spring and early summer when the sap is running and the bark peels more easily. A vertical cut is made into the outer bark and the strip is pulled steadily downward. The harvester typically works with a specific cedar that has been identified and returned to over multiple years — removing too much bark in a single harvest damages or kills the tree.
Cedar root requires excavating the roots from the soil near the base of the tree, selecting roots of workable thickness. The roots are then split and scraped to produce long, flexible strands. This material is used primarily in coiled forms and holds fine detail in patterned surfaces.
Birch Bark
Birch bark is used across a wide band of the boreal forest, from Labrador through the Great Plains to the Yukon. The paper birch (Betula papyrifera) yields sheets that can be folded, cut, and joined to form containers without weaving. However, birch bark is also used as panel material in composite baskets, where it provides a rigid base or decorative element within a woven structure.
Bark harvesting is generally done in late spring when the bark separates cleanly from the trunk. Taking bark from a living tree requires care — only the outer layer should be removed to avoid injuring the cambium. Bark harvested this way leaves a distinctive reddish-brown mark on the tree but allows the tree to continue growing.
Preparing Material for Use
Most natural basketry materials require some preparation before they can be worked. The general goal is to achieve a balance of flexibility and strength:
- Soaking — Dried grasses and splints are soaked in water for several minutes to hours depending on thickness. Over-soaking weakens fibres.
- Splitting — Root materials and thick grasses are split lengthwise to achieve uniform width and thickness.
- Scraping — Cedar root and birch bark are scraped to remove rough outer surfaces and reduce thickness.
- Dyeing — Natural dyes from plants (walnut hulls, bloodroot, sumac) are applied before weaving. Some dyes require a mordant to fix colour.
Storage and Long-Term Care
Prepared materials should be stored in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Dried grass bundles are vulnerable to insect damage, particularly from carpet beetles and clothes moths. Cedar-lined storage or occasional airing helps prevent infestation. Dampening materials too far in advance of use can cause mould.
Further Reading
- Canadian Forest Service resources: natural-resources.canada.ca/forests
- Plants of Canada (Agriculture Canada): agriculture.canada.ca
- Museum of Anthropology, UBC: moa.ubc.ca