Recently, I purchased a Birch bark replica canoe from John Lindman of the Bark Canoe Store in Spokane, Washington.  He supplied me with the artificial Watap (Indian word for Spruce root)  and instructions on how to lace the gunnels.

The gunnel in the foreground is laced in a few spots to hold the canoe together for delivery.

This gunnel is completely laced including some bark accents.

The lacing is done by wrapping the Watap around the gunnel through holes drilled into the hull.  The gunnel cap is then attached to the gunnel on top of the lacing to protect it from abrasion.

The finished wrap including the bark accents.

Next I painted the edge of the canoe and stenciled in some figures on the bow and stern.

I will fill the wrapping holes with pine tar and she will be ready to go down the Green River!