I’m reading the book “Last of the Coureurs de Bois” by Paul Provencher. He spent lots of time with the Montagnais in Quebec, and he had great admiration for them.
“The Montagnais Indian has won himself a great reputation in our northern forest as a mighty load-carrier. I’ve met many canoe-carriers; and it’s rare to find one who’s not developed the famous ‘canoe hump.’ This cartilaginous growth covers the sixth or seventh cervical vertebra, where the cross bar of the canoe rests when the Indian puts it on his shoulders to carry it”
Notice the piece of molded birch bark attached to his hat for protection when carrying a rope thump.

“The Montagnais Indian has won himself a great reputation in our northern forest as a mighty load-carrier. I’ve met many canoe-carriers; and it’s rare to find one who’s not developed the famous ‘canoe hump.’ This cartilaginous growth covers the sixth or seventh cervical vertebra, where the cross bar of the canoe rests when the Indian puts it on his shoulders to carry it”
Notice the piece of molded birch bark attached to his hat for protection when carrying a rope thump.
