Mi'kmaq used the birch bark canoe as their chief means of transportation. These canoes were light weight, waterproof, and strong. They were easy to carry over land portage routes.

They Mi'kmaq canoes had rounded ends and wide bottom interiors. This strategic design helped in avoiding the catching the wind and the raised gunwales protected people from the waves.

Mi'kmaq birch bark canoes were sleek and were suitable for freshwater and saltwater, i.e. rivers and the ocean.

Since Mi'kmaq moved from place to place, they were able to portage the canoes over land.