Description
This is about learning the art of tanning hide from Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway and Lorne Kequahtooway of the Buffalo People Arts Institute. They will walk us through the process with each video created by NCCIE. Students viewing the process of the seven videos will gain an idea of what is involved in hide tanning, understand the cultural connections, and learn the significance of the buffalo.
Each video will present a different step of the process, while at the same time, Joely and Lorne take us into their storied lives temporarily.
Acknowledgement Protocol
Please read this Acknowledgement before the start of this lesson to respect the knowledge that is being shared and the Land of the People where the knowledge originates.
We respectfully acknowledge the original lands of the Indigenous Peoples of Treaty 4: Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Dakota, Lakota and Treaty 6: Cree, Saulteaux, Dene, and Dakota whose knowledge inform this lesson. As well, we acknowledge the homeland to many winged, four-legged, crawling, and water creatures.
Contributors
| Name | Role / Job Title | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Belinda Daniels | Curriculum Developer | Saskatoon |
| Steffany Salloum | Community Research Associate and Website Manager | Saskatoon |
| Bettina Schneider | Regional Lead, NCCIE | Regina, First Nations University of Canada |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this lesson plan, students will be able to:
1. Respect and appreciate the traditional steps needed to tan a hide. The teaching from Elders is a gift and the knowledge being passed on is so valuable to the continuation of Indigenous cultural practices. [Broad Areas of Learning]
2. Working together as a community and learning from Elders in a social environment, rather than a traditional classroom is of utmost value. In the trappers and traders game, students will learn about trading and sharing of goods and services. This can even get into the restrictions placed on Indigenous hunters, traders and trappers by the Canadian government and Indian agents. [Cross-Curricular Competencies]
3. Examine the impact of contact on Indigenous economy and the relationship within the Canadian economy, the land, environment, and newcomers through a process of reconciliation.
- Realize that traditional knowledge has value and a place in society today.
- State the importance of preserving Indigenous knowledge.
- Analyze Indigenous participation in artistic economic endeavours.
- Display knowledge of the economic experiences of Indigenous peoples and the need for these skill sets to live on in the next generation.
[RW10.3]
Teacher's Guide
Background / Foundational Information
Subject: Indigenous Studies 10 *Can be easily used with other grades Grade: 10 (11/12)
Topic: Hide Tanning Steps and Techniques
Essential Question: What tips and techniques are involved in the traditional tanning of animal hides?
Activities
Bison Hide Tanning3:10
Purpose
To watch, learn, and observe how to tan hide from the Kequahtooway's.
Motivational Set: Explain to students the importance of learning traditional knowledge and passing it on.
- Students will brainstorm things that Elders have taught you in your life thus far.
- Class discussion items can be recorded on the board.
Main Procedures/Strategies:
- Introduce the importance of learning traditions and knowledge from Elders and knowledge holders.
- Ask students if anyone has ever been involved in traditional hide tanning?
- Explain that you are going to show a series of seven videos that goes through the steps involved in tanning a hide.
NCCIE Videos and Resources related to the Lesson Plan - Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Parts 1-7
- Hand out the Bison Hide – Making Notes on the Process sheet and have students list the main steps involved in hide tanning.
- Hand the list back in to the teacher. Go over the procedure again. Ask which part is the most interesting and why?
Closing: If possible, pass around a variety of furs and hides for students to see and feel. Have them come up with a list of items that could be made out of the furs and hides.
Learning styles this activity connects with
- Physical (e.g., Tactile, Experiential, Visual) Learners
This activity connects with physical learners because it involves watching, observing, and listening. Have students make notes about the hide tanning process.
Assessment
This section contains information for assessing progress in students' learning. While Indigenous approaches to assessment may be highlighted, conventional assessment methods may also be discussed.
Assess for student learning (formative) during the activity to help determine next steps. Informal learning could take place on the land in an experience based outdoor classroom with Elders and artisans.
Assessment of learning (summative) – assess the students after learning to evaluate what they have learned.
- Ideally, students would have the opportunity to practice the skills on the land. Even if they can see what it feels like to scrape a hide that is being processed, this is the goal. If this isn’t possible, the teacher should have samples of furs and hides available for students to experience. The Saskatchewan Archaeological Society may be a source to borrow a kit with furs and hides. There is a Trappers and Traders card game available through this organization, as well. Link posted within this lesson plan.
Related resources
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 1 – Introducing Buffalo People Arts InstituteLink
Info
The resilience of the buffalo is in our blood and we must re-learn and remember our relationship with the buffalo.
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 2 – Making a Buffalo Bone Scraping ToolLink
Info
In Part 2 of the series, Lorne shares his knowledge about and models making a buffalo bone scraping tool used on buffalo hides.
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 3 – Preparing the Buffalo Hide for ScrapingLink
Info
In Part 3 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute prepare the buffalo hide for scraping.
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 4 – Scraping a Buffalo HideLink
Info
In Part 4 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute demonstrate hide scraping tips and techniques.
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 5 – Dry Scraping the Epidermal LayerLink
Info
In Part 5 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute demonstrate scraping the epidermal layer of the hide.
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 6 – Braining a Buffalo HideLink
Info
In Part 6 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute demonstrate how to prepare the buffalo hide for braining, how to brain the hide, and how to scrape a brained hide.
- Buffalo Hide Tanning and Teachings – Part 7 – Smoking a Buffalo HideLink
Info
In Part 7 of the series, the Buffalo People Arts Institute smoke a buffalo hide.
Where can I find additional information?
- Hide Tanning The Woods Cree WayLink
Info
More information on tanning hide.
- Hide Tanning The Traditional 13 StepsLink
Info
More information to bison hide tanning.
- Saskatchewan Archaeological SocietyLink
Info
Trappers and Traders Card Game – Saskatchewan Archaeological Society Contact: Phone: 306-664-4124 Website: www.thesas.ca Email: general@thesas.ca https://thesas.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Trappers-and-Traders-Teachers-Guide.pdf
Holism and All Our Relations
This lesson plan has been developed with an Indigenous lens that is holistic in nature, and addresses the following:
Relationship with the land
Everything comes from the land, including the bison. There is a sacred relationship with the bison, they are one of the original grand spirits for many Indigenous Nations. Bison and the land also work in unison, they need each other in order to produce a healthy climate on the prairies.
Language and Culture
N/A
Intergenerational learning with Elders / Knowledge Holders
Were Elders or Knowledge Holders involved in the development of this Lesson Plan? No Can Elders or Knowledge Holders be invited to help teach part of this lesson plan? Yes
Ethics in the classroom: care, truthfulness and trust, respect, integrity
Respect and protocol are ethics involved in the tanning of a hide.
Relationship with family, ancestors
Tanning hide is a family affair as shown by the Kequahtooway's.
Connections with everyday life
N/A
Healthy relationship with self and identity
The interconnection made with the bison, the land, and Indigenous peoples nurtures our identities. The Buffalo Peoples Arts Institute shares their views of the spiritual connection.
Personal reflection time (connecting with thoughts and feelings)
Ask students to consider: From observing the videos, can one person tan a hide in your opinion, why or why not? Why are hides essential to the lives of Indigenous Peoples?