The Ancient First Nation Art of Birch Bark Bitings & Transparencies

Imagine a time not so long ago, where families would go off to gather berries and roots, and while taking a small break, someone would go off to peel some birch bark and create various patterns by biting into it simply to pass time.  Prior to European contact, when the days grew shorter in the winter months, the adults would also entertain the children by creating birch bark bitings with them, these created patterns would light up when held in front of the campfire depicting dreams and stories that were shared and passed on with the young ones.

Today there are no more than 3 First Nation persons in Canada and perhaps in all of North America who still practice this traditional art form which used to be common practice amongst First Nations & Native Americans across North America prior to European contact.

Acclaimed Cree artist Half Moon Woman has her art featured around the world such as in Glenbow Museum, Museum of Man and Nature and several private collections in Canada, Switzerland, Scotland, France, Germany, Africa, China, Malaysia, Hawaii and Alaska.  Her work has won many awards and is even featured in a grade 10 text book.  At this time, her art can be seen in Alberta as part of a traveling art show.

"Turning the craft into art, Bruderer follows in the footsteps of Angelique Meratsy, a Cree woman who first achieved status and a market for birch bark biting in the early 1900s."

Michelle Sasakamoose,
Kamloops This Week