Our Story
Our Story
Rekindling the Power of Birch Bark Extract
THE HISTORY: BIRCH BARK AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
The traditional Mi’kmaq skincare creation known as Maskwiomin is rooted in the natural power of birch bark. However, this knowledge was nearly lost, as only two Elders in the First Nation community of Membertou in Sydney, Nova Scotia, remembered its origins.
The story begins with a mother experiencing a skin issue across her chest, making it difficult for her newborn baby to nurse. To help, a Mi’kmaq midwife prepares a Maskwiomin ointment and applies it to the mother’s chest, resolving the issue and allowing the baby to feed.
Over 25 years ago, Maskwiomin co-founder and Mi'kmaq elder Tuma Young pieced together these lost stories and rediscovered the traditional Mi’kmaq method to extract birch bark's compounds. Tuma, originally from Malagawatch, a small community on the western shore of the Bras d’Or of Unamaki/Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, has worked to preserve Mi’kmaw knowledge. As an ethnobotanist, Tuma gathered hundreds of plant stories and recipes to ensure this traditional knowledge continues to be shared.
In the Mi'kmaq tradition, making Maskwiomin is a labor-intensive and lengthy process. Birch bark's properties are extracted by carefully enveloping it within a specially-made campfire. Once the fire is out, the thick, viscous, black concentrated bark extract is used to create creams, lotions, and soap products.
The Legend
Known for its remarkable qualities, birch bark symbolizes transformation in an age-old Mi’kmaq legend. The Mi’kmaq tale tells the story of a young woman, tragically mistreated and burdened with scars, blemishes, and uneven skin. One day, she meets a mythical hunter known for his strength, charm, and nobility. Horrified to reveal her appearance, she disguises herself, wrapped head-to-toe in a coiled, hand-made veil of birch bark. But nothing escapes the discerning hunter, who spies her eyes peering out at him. And what he sees is only her true beauty, creating a connection that goes beyond appearances.
Finally seen for who she truly is, the woman’s deepest struggles are lifted, and her inner light shines through, her natural beauty radiating from within.
This story embodies our appreciation for this extraordinary ingredient and its transformative qualities. It is our greatest joy to share this story, passed down through oral tradition, as an emblem of the enduring power of birch bark.
About the Founders
Tuma Young, QC is a Mi’kmaw ethnobotanist and lawyer teaching Mi’kmaw Studies courses at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Dr. Matthias Bierenstiel is a Professor of Chemistry at Cape Breton University who developed the new proprietary extractor technology that mimics the conditions in a campfire, used to create Maskwiomin formulas.
How We Make Birch Bark Extract
The birch bark extract is extracted in a labour-intensive and time-consuming campfire method where the substance collects inside a can in the fire. Once the fire is out, the thick, viscous, black concentrated bark extract is collected and used to make creams, ointments and soap products.
For generations across Mi’kma’ki, birch bark — known as maskwio’mi — has been valued for helping the skin feel calm, balanced, and comforted. Today, Maskwiomin continues this tradition using birch bark extract in handcrafted soaps and creams made in Unama’ki (Cape Breton).
In 2025, a qualitative narrative study published in Wounds Canada explored how people with sensitive or irritation-prone skin experienced birch bark preparations rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Participants described improvements such as reduced dryness, less discomfort, soothed feelings, and softer, smoother skin after including birch bark products in their routines. Many also noted positive emotional effects — increased confidence, comfort, and enjoyment in self-care.
While Maskwiomin products are cosmetics and not medical treatments, this research echoes what our customers share with us every day: birch bark offers a unique natural feeling of comfort and nourishment for sensitive skin.
Our work blends Mi’kmaq traditional knowledge, Cape Breton science, and simple, natural ingredients — bringing meaningful, respectful skincare rituals to homes across Canada.
The Birch Bark Project
Dr. Bierenstiel joined Tuma with his chemistry expertise almost 10 years ago on The Birch Bark Project.
The project is built upon the principles of Etuaptmumk—or 2-Eyed Seeing—and balances Mi’kmaq knowledge and science. One pillar is called Awakening of the Knowledge in order to preserve and teach Mi’kmaq knowledge to the next generation.
Tuma Young showed the community of Membertou how to make Maskwiomin the traditional way. Once they used the homemade soaps and creams, they understood the benefits and wanted more of these incredible products.
The Start of Maskwiomin
This demand prompted Tuma Young and Matthias Bierenstiel to found the Maskwiomin company in 2020 and pursue their mission to achieve the ethical commercialization of traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge based on the wishes of community members and elders.
Dr. Bierenstiel’s extractor allows for the first time not only scale-up of the extraction process but also ensures consistent quality assurance for each and every extraction batch, which is the basis of Maskwiomin company.
Maskwiomin started in the co-founders’ garages and homes until they moved into their first commercial space in downtown Sydney, Nova Scotia, in 2021.
Maskwiomin works closely with Membertou First Nation and Membertou Corporate to establish partnerships.
Maskwiomin is dedicated to creating high-quality skincare products deeply rooted in traditional Mi’kmaq knowledge. We have launched a focused research initiative to deepen our understanding of our ingredients, aiming to revolutionize the cosmetic industry for the better.
Certification
The Maskwiomin products are sold in Canada and the United States . The main ingredient (INCI) is Betula papyrifera bark extract. We produce this essential bark extract based on a traditional Mi’kmaq recipe, mimicking the original firepit method with our proprietary extraction process to ensure top QA/QC product controls.
The main ingredients for the base creams and soaps are sourced from premium Canadian suppliers with certified cosmetic materials.
Real Results
OUR PROMISE? YOU’LL SEE A DIFFERENCE. FINALLY.
If our products don't satisfy you for any reason, send us an email within 15 days of delivery and we'll fully refund your purchase.