Arctic Red River (Aug 21/06) - The Mackenzie River has long been used to transport supplies, travellers and boats to the North.

As the river flows hundreds of kilometres, it gathers many tree-trunks and pieces of driftwood, which wash up on shores every year.

Since the wet logs rub against boats and tangle in fishing nets, some people consider them a nuisance.

For Tsiigehtchic's Mickey Andre, however, the logs are a free gift.

"I'm building a new shop," Andre said, as he gathered logs on Aug. 13.While he spoke, he cut the branches off trunks with an axe and put them into a pile.

Around him were more than 20 logs, some the size of telephone poles and large trees.

Andre explained that he pulls the branches to a sandy spot on Tsiigehtchic's beach using an ATV and lets them dry. Little by little, he amasses the driftwood into a small lumber yard - easily worth several hundreds of dollars.

"It's a lot of work, they are really heavy," he said.

While it takes some sweat and many hours to prepare the wood, Andre said it's worth it.

He said he's been using driftwood for years to build things for himself.

For instance, he said this year's harvest will help him build a tool shed and perhaps a place to store his car.

While it's definitely hard work, he said it would be a real waste - of good wood and money - to let the logs float away.

"It's free wood coming to my front door," he said. "How could I not use it?"