BUCKSKIN TANNING WORKSHOP!

Come explore the ancient practice of hide tanning with Abby. In this weekend intensive workshop you will be guided through the process of brain tanning a deer skin into buckskin. While honouring these majestic forest dwelling creatures and the history of the many cultures who have practiced this craft throughout the world, we will go beyond the skin to explain and demonstrate what other gifts they offer. We will take about the variety of methods that are practiced as well as explore the difference between hair on tanning, buckskin, rawhide & bark tanning. Through this hands on, labour intensive process we are given an amazing opportunity to connect with ourselves, each other and the spirit of the deer.

We will make some of our own tools and explore the nature of the tools provided here as well. Saturday evening we will have a sauna to relax the muscles and dance under the stars!  This workshop will begin on Saturday morning @ 10:00 am. We will move through part of the process soaking overnight and continuing on Sunday morning @ 9:00am, to arrive at stretched dry hide by the evening. (possible smoking) Monday morning we will hopefully smoke the hides weather depending.

The tanning process has many stages, as we move through them we give ourselves to be in service to the deer. We will be on skin time, which is unlike the time we are familiar with in our daily lives and have the opportunity to explore what comes up for us.

The Immersive Experience includes: (Sliding scale $350-500): Optional Friday evening arrival, accommodations, all meals provided, sauna experience.

The Localized Experience: Sliding scale of ($250 -350) Saturday 9- 5/6 workshop, Sunday 9- ? (stretching time can vary on conditions), lunch provided on both days, opportunity to smoke skins Monday morning or at another time.

Things to bring: clothing that is ok to get dirty, tent (if camping) blankets for sleeping, pillow, towel for sauna, water bottle, & willingness to be a bit sore ( it is a physically engaging process)  We do have several options indoor accommodations should someone need more comfort. 

If cost is a barrier please get in touch and we will see what we can do. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Or if you are unable to stay until monday that is ok too, we can smoke your hide another time.

There are limited spaces (10) as we like to keep the group intimate and small.

We look forward to seeing you all on the land!

Any questions or queries please get in touch to confirm your space and needs:

613 332 1390 This is a landline so please call not text.