Giclée print in archival inks on acid- and lignin-free paper

Original painting in acrylic on canvas

Collection of Tom and Roxanne Augusztiny

Western Washington traveling canoes, on the way to a potlatch, race over the waves before a November southwest wind at the turn of the century. The travelers relax and enjoy the ride, now passing through a welcome patch of afternoon sun. Only the steersman strains to keep the driving canoe off the wind.  All the passengers are dressed in European fashion, typical of the period.  The only visible example of traditional native dress is the cedar bark hat worn by one woman.

Nineteenth century Northwest Coast canoe sails were of canvas, sprit rigged in imitation of the ships’ boats of the early contact period. Many early explorers’ journals mention making sails for the Indians they encountered, and describe teaching the canoemen to use them.  Earlier native sails
were probably square rigged cedar bark mats that were used only in running before the wind.  The newer design enabled canoes to sail with the wind on the beam as well.  Most Northwest Coast canoes of moderate size or larger were fitted with sails after European contact.  The “Westcoast” or “Nootkan” style of canoe, seen here, was a very seaworthy craft and popular from the Columbia River to the north end of Vancouver Island as a traveling canoe.