Birchbark Handle
Both sides of this dance fan's handle is made from birch bark. The birch tree is widely available in the Great Lakes region, although it has come under threat recently with the spread of a bark disease. This bark has some incredibly sustainable properties which allows it to be taken from already fallen trees and still be used, or taken from trees without cutting them down first. Taking the bark directly off a living tree needs to be done by someone knowledgeable in the technique and time of the year this can be done, or else one could potentially kill the tree (Prindle, 1994).