Chief Louie Paddle Company

05/13/2026

Generations of Cheslat'en called Cheslatta lake home.

Below is the canoe hand carved by the elders, using their traditional methods. Chief Louie Paddle Company is about bringing fine craftsmanship and tradition together in a beautiful way.

05/08/2026

Gorgeous denim pine plaques for a very special organization. Together for many years the 4-H club of Burns Lake worked with us... And after our 8 year hiatus, they were some of our first customers again. Thank you 4-H for the continued support! Can't wait to see what more we will be able to create with some of our old customers & new!

05/05/2026

Today we have on our hearts the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. This needs to stop

05/04/2026

Our Spirit Feathers

Made with water wood brought up from the depths of the Nechako Reservoir, Ootsa Lake. Most of the wood hasn't been to the surface in nearly 60 years. We have taken the wood and shaped it into these beautiful feathers that have a lot of meaning to those affected by the flooded lakes system in 1952.

A beautiful gift, a treasured talisman, a beautiful testament to the story of the Cheslatta people and others affected by the tragedy of the Lakes

04/29/2026

Oh what fun!

Digging through old boxes that have been hidden away through the years.

We have a inventory started of custom plaques. These make AWESOME gifts
-Mothers or Fathers Day
-Baby Shower
-Birthday
-Prize for being the best co****le player at this years family reunion with the inlaws

Stay tuned to see more!

04/13/2026

Our Story

IN 1952 THE Cheslattat'en were forced from their homeland due to Alcan's Kemano project. Several lakes were flooded in the process, one of which was Cheslatta Lake. With less than a months notice the Cheslatta people were forced out of their homes on the shores of the lake. Since the uprooting of their families, lives and traditions, the Cheslatta people have been fighting to return to what was taken from them so many years ago.

In the summer of 2009 the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, using their traditional ways began carving paddles. Everyone hand carved and made by local materials, and being made on their ancestral land.

The project excited the community by creating jobs for the people and inspiring to take the paddles from rough lumber to a sleek and smooth finished paddle that bears the name of their ancestor Chief Louie. They've honed their production process to where they can make 30 paddles a day.

As a typical Cheslatta company CLPC incorporates the talents of non-Cheslatta Carrier Nation members as well. They utilize the skills of local craftsman who are equipped to process the strips for lamination. Sourced from local wood from backyard mills, CLPC has prided themself with the locally made fine quality products that we all know and love.

After the Epilog engraver broke down in 2018, CLPC was put on the back burner and has been recently revived. Excited to see what the future holds CLPC is excited to serve the community again.

03/04/2026

Some exciting stuff is starting to happen...now that we've (kind of) figured out the laser engraver. What fun!

02/11/2026

A few orders we've been working on. Our start is slow with the introduction of this new fancy engraver, but it's fun getting to know it. We have a few projects that are in the process of being built, stay tuned...some exiting new artistic creations happening.
Remember us if you're needing awards, recognition awards, all the fun stuff we used to provide you with. Our traditional Chief Louie Paddles are still being made locally using only local wood, all done on Traditional Cheslatta Territory!

02/05/2026

01/23/2026

Beautyful frosty Friday...have a great weekend all!