This photograph of a couple Kutenai Indians in a dugout canoe is called "Embarking." (Edward S. Curtis)

The Ponderosa Pine also served its purpose as wood for building materials. The Diegueno tribe used the bark to make shelters for those gathering acorns in the mountains. Many of the tribes used the wood to build houses, using it, for example, as large roof timbers. For the Montana Indians, Ponderosas were the most important lumber tree in the state. Single logs were also used to make dugout canoes, hollowing them out with fire.