The Mi'kmaw Eel Spear. There are two types; A Summer one ...

and a Winter one ...

The eel spear has been used by we Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq and our Pítawkewaq (Beothuck) relatives through the ages. With the use of modern materials, it has evolved into the two examples shown.

Probably one of the first references to the eel spear was by John Guy who wrote in 1609 "They haue two kinds of oars, -- one is about fower foot long, of one piece of firre, -- the other is about ten foot long, made of two pieces, one being as long, big, and round as a halfe pike, made of beeche wood, the which by likelihood, they make of a Biskaine oare; the other is the blade of the oare, which is let into the end of the long one, slit, and whipped very strongly. The short one, they use as a paddle, and the other as an oare."

John Guy had it all wrong of course. What he was describing was a Summer Eel Spear!! (the blade of the oare, which is let into the end of the long one (joined to the pole), slit (Actually it was made of two pieces of birch and probably missing the bone spear point), and whipped (wrapped with line or root) very strongly).