The first ladies learned the secrets of building canoes in precise accordance with Indigenous Canadian traditions from Pam Wedd of the town of Parry Sound in Muskoka lake district.
The first ladies autographed two canoes to be donated to Camp Oochigeas, a programme for children with cancer, and Camp Huronda, a camp for children with diabetes.
Craftspeople from the nearby Algonquin nature reserve demonstrated the art of beading moccasins.