I selected a birch bark basket or bowl because it was totally made out of natural materials. Nothing was manufactured. The dimensions of the basket are eight and a half inches long, by six and a half inches wide, by two and a one- quarter inches deep. The bowl was made only about five or six years ago. I have seen older baskets made in the same way. 

A Chippewa/Odawa woman made this particular basket. Traditionally the basket would have been used to collect wild rice. It is currently being used as a "catch-all" or multipurpose basket. 

White Ash strips were used to line the top edges of the basket. The strips are laced on with raffia, sinew, or willow bark. The basket itself is formed out of White Birch bark that was collected in the spring of the year.