The Thalweg is partnering with Fretwater Boatworks to host a nine-day wooden dory boatbuilding course designed specifically for Indigenous people and people of color with an interest in river running, wooden boats, and river stewardship. The course will offer eight participant spots reserved exclusively for Indigenous people and people of color. Scholarships will be available based on funding received through grants and community partners.

Over nine immersive days, participants will work alongside experienced boatbuilders to construct a handcrafted Doryak—a small personal wooden dory—while learning every stage of traditional boatbuilding. From lofting the hull from a table of offsets to shaping, sanding, gluing, fiberglassing, painting, and final assembly, participants will gain the practical skills and confidence to build a wooden boat of their own. No prior woodworking or boatbuilding experience is required.

Throughout the course, participants will collectively build one Doryak. At the conclusion of the class, one participant will have the opportunity to take home the completed boat through a raffle.

Applications and scholarship information will be announced as funding is confirmed. The number of sponsored scholarships available will depend on support from grants and community partners.