Shrewsbury
Historical Society
Established 1898
Mario - Fats - Caruso
1928 - 1993
Mario - Fats - Caruso
1928 - 1993
Troy ‘Running Wolf’ Phillips, Sub Chief, Oak Island, 2024
Mishoon: Craft & Tradition
From The Character of the Narragansetts as Set Forth by Roger Williams, 1643.
“I have seen a native go into the woods with his hatchet, carrying only a basket of corn and stones to strike fire. When he has felled his tree (being a chestnut) he makes a little house, or shed, using the bark from the tree. Cutting into the top of the trunk, he builds his fire in many places over the full length. His corn he boils, and in a brook near him, sometimes angles for a little fish. He continues burning and hewing until he has, within 10 or 12 days, finished his work.
With help from others he launches his boat, with which afterwards he ventures out to fish. His power is that of a paddle, but through his own reasoning, he has learned to pull off a coat or two and set it up on a small pole with which he will use to sail.”[1]
Carving a mishoon is deeply rooted in spirituality and a connection to the natural world for the Nipmuc people. Traditions emphasize the importance of giving thanks in the form of prayer to Okasoh Ohke (Mother Earth) and the natural resources she provides, including the trees used for carving.[2]
The process begins with selecting the right tree. Traditionally, old-growth trees such as white pine, chestnut, or tulip poplar were used. Today, white pine is a common choice due to its size and workability. The tree must be at least 16–20 feet long and 2–3 feet in diameter, depending on the desired size. In traditional practice, permission is given to the spirit of the tree. Once felled, the bark is stripped and the ends are trimmed. Before hollowing the inside, the bottom is flattened to ensure it sits evenly in the water.
Tribal members pile dry wood along the top of the log and light small, contained fires. The charred material is then scraped out using tools like cut branches, oyster shells, or sharpened stones. The burning and scraping is repeated until they reach the desired depth. The fire must be managed to avoid burning too deeply or unevenly. Burning the wood hardens the interior, helping to make it more water-resistant.
After hollowing, the outer sides are thinned to create a balance between buoyancy and strength. The hull is tested for symmetry to ensure straight and steady movement. The mishoon is left to dry and cure followed by an application of animal fats, resins, or natural oils to seal the wood and prevent cracking.
Constructing a mishoon is a time-honored process that combines patience, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the natural world. Today, many Indigenous communities continue to build mishoonash (plural) not only for cultural preservation but also to pass on traditional knowledge to younger generations. [3]
(1) From The Character of the Narragansetts as Set Forth by Roger Williams, 1643.
(2) Scott Strong Hawk Foster, Ways of My Ancestors – Imagery: Lighting the Path to Awareness (The Umbrella Arts Center, Concord, MA, March 2025) info@theumbrellaarts.org
(3) Chenae Bullock (Shinnecock), Resurging the Mishoon Culture Like Never Before (Cultural Survival, Cambridge, MA, November 1, 2022) www.culturalsurvival.org/news/resurging-mishoon-culture-never