Description
This week long camp will introduce you to the concepts and sills involved in turning an animal hide into buckskin (a hair off, soft fabric like “leather”) and hair on hide (think cow hide rug). Participants may bring a hide to work on, and we will have a hide on site for practicing with.
Times: 10 am on the 13th until 11 am on the 20th.
You will learn;
About tanning tools for processing moose (and bison) hides
How to build a stretching frame
How to building a smoking shelter
How to properly remove a hide into order to preserve it
How to preserve a hide until tanning
Natural and easy to access materials for tanning tides
How tanning works
The physiology of skin
How to process both hair on and hair off skins
Scrapping hides
Soaking hides
Wringing methods
Acidifying buckskin for a soft and supple fabric like hide
Brain tanning solutions
Softening methods and tools
Smoking hides to keep them water resistant
How to build a stretching frame
How to building a smoking shelter
How to properly remove a hide into order to preserve it
How to preserve a hide until tanning
Natural and easy to access materials for tanning tides
How tanning works
The physiology of skin
How to process both hair on and hair off skins
Scrapping hides
Soaking hides
Wringing methods
Acidifying buckskin for a soft and supple fabric like hide
Brain tanning solutions
Softening methods and tools
Smoking hides to keep them water resistant
This is an involved workshop where you will have the opportunity to work on hides at each stage of the tanning process. For the purpose of this class we will be working on domestic or wild hides, however the hair on and hair off processes will apply to other animals as well.
This week long camp is appropriate for adults and youth over 13 years of age. We have small cabin bunk houses available for up to 15 particpants. Cabins are shared (4-5 participants per cabin), and are 10 dollars per night for use. This camp includes group meals. Participants may also bring camping gear to camp. We have limited space for trailers/RVs, Please check ahead of time if bringing a trailer/RV is possible.
Natalie Pepin
Taanishi! Dishinikawshon Natalie Pepin. I am a Metis woman in the Tawatinaw Valley in Alberta, Canada. I support indigenous people who are reclaiming their indigenous roots to connect with their culture through learning the traditional skills, arts, stories and teachings of our ancestors. I support indigenous people, who are severed from their traditions by legacy and trauma of colonization, who are discovering that their culture is beautiful. I teach indigenous arts workshops such as beading, moccasin making and brain tanning as a means of reconciliation and reconnection.
