Ottawa oval birch bark container decorated with white and brown porqupine quills rim and bottom reinforced with spruce root. Porcupine Quill Work: The Ottawa Indians are noted for their porcupine quill boxes. The quills are woven into birch bark forming lovely designs by shading the natural colors of the quills. A few are made with dyed quills for bright colors. The quills are soaked to make them pliable, and tow small holes are punched in the bark with a sharp awl. The ends of the quill are inserted in these holes. The excess quill is then cut off short on the inside and the box is relined with birch bark. White cedar root or sweet grass is used for the binding.