The most common type of material used for baskets by the Ojibwe was birch-bark. Besides baskets, the Ojibwe also made cedar bark bags. Bark baskets and bags had an assortment of uses for storage and cooking. Since bark is highly flammable, the containers could not be placed over a fire or over coals. Instead, hot rocks were dropped into the containers until the food was cooked.
     Birch bark baskets also became commodity items for sale to tourists. These products appealed to market tastes by the inclusion floral designs, often made of quillwork. The basket shown here was made to winnow wild rice.
     The harvesting of wild rice has always been an important part of life for Ojibwe people. Harvesting provides an opportunity to visit with nearby relatives and friends in neighboring communities. Each family has its own share of the wild rice field and this portion was never disputed. In mid-summer, women tie a small portion of rice together so that the family’s section can be marked with stakes. At harvest time, men pole canoes into the middle of the rice field.