These canoe cups also called noggins are carved from cherry, apple, butternut, birch, maple, pine etcetera. Some are spalted. These are 3-8 inches long. They have been scraped, smoothed and treated with a non toxic beeswax/oil mix or red oxide milk paint. They have leather, hemp or cedar thongs and various toggles using stone or wood. Often they are looped around a belt or sash to keep handy for a drink or snack. I always work with wood from trees taken down by disease or a storm. Although this wood is destined to be firewood I ask the tree for permission to use the wood for a project. A few “old” Abenaki or colonial spoons and noggins have survived and the above resemble some I have seen. Today these are very usable for living history presenters and can be a decorative item for home decor.

Patrick Lamphere, “Blackhand”

VAAA, Alnôbaiwi, St. Francis/Sokoki Band, Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi #65954