Birch Bark

Fort Liard is famous for birch bark baskets, so beautifully crafted that they are considered an original work of art reflecting the traditional ways of the Dene people.

For centuries, Dene of the Liard Valley have used birch bark baskets for picking berries, storing sewing supplies, medicinal herbs and for cooking food.

Today, the women of Fort Liard have lifted that traditional craft to a fine art, by creating unique shapes and decorating them. Baskets are still stitched together in the traditional way with spruce root and a tie of moose hide. These traditional containers are justly famous for their restrained beauty and precision of craft. Baskets come in various sizes, for various purposes. Every part is made by hand from natural materials gathered in the forest.