Using the Northwoods Grip:

The "Northwoods Stroke" or the "Canadian Stroke"

The dynamics of these two strokes are very similar, the only real difference is the way that the grip is held for the Northwoods stroke.  While these strokes may be done with any paddle, it really is helpful to have a paddle with a grip which allows you to take full advantage of the body ergonomics.

The stroke as a whole, should take on a smooth fluid grace.  There is no wild thrashing of the paddle in the water.  There are no exaggerated body motions. 

The Northwoods grip, referring to the forested areas of Maine known as the Northwoods, developed from the grips used on local Native paddles.  The grip is held in an oblique, crossways manner, resembling they way a kayak paddle is held.

For the early stages of learning this stroke, I advise paddlers to "lock" up their elbows, that is to paddle with their arms held straight, not bending their elbows.  Even though bending the elbows is a natural motion and perfectly acceptable when the stroke is mastered, it is easier to focus on the mechanics of the stroke with the elbows not bending.  The paddle's front-back motion is achieved through torso rotation, not arm power.  The corrective action of the paddle is achieved by axial rotation controlled by the grip hand wrist motion.

At the end of the power phase of the stroke, bring the paddle as far back as is comfortable.	As the grip hand is holding the paddle across the grip, simply allow your wrist to bend through its natural motion.  This will turn the blade perpendicular to the water surface.  You are now ready for the correction phase of the stroke.
You have two options for the correction: a) you can do a small "J" push away, or b) you can do an underwater correction similar to a sculling push-away as the paddle is brought forward during the recovery phase of the stroke.  To accomplish this, the forward edge of the paddle is dropped slightly, as the water flows across the face of the blade, it is deflected away from the canoe.  This takes some practice to "get right".	Getting ready to start the next stroke, the paddle emerges from the water.  It is brought out of the water in a continuous motion from the correction phase, like a knife.  It is not just lifted vertically out of the water.  Notice that the blade is horizontal to the water surface.  As you prepare the blade to begin the next stroke, rotate the paddle along its axis so that the blade is perpendicular to the water while the paddle is still held horizontal to the water.  The drop the blade into the water to begin the power phase of the next stroke.  By dropping the blade into the water knife fashion, you keep your hands low.