September 19, 2018
Minister Wally Schumann was on-hand as the third-annual Urban Hide Tanning Camp kicked off with an opening ceremony earlier today at Somba K'e Park.
The Yellowknives Dene First Nation Drummers opened the ceremony with a prayer song.
Dene Nahjo — a Yellowknife-based Indigenous leadership organization — is hosting the celebration of Dene art, culture, technology, and history September 19 – 29.
Minister Wally Schumann speaks about the difference between commercially-tanned hides and traditionally-tanned hides, and reflects on his experience watching the work done by hand.
Elders and tanning instructors will lead caribou and moose hide tanning demonstrations using a variety of regional techniques.
Hide tanning will be complemented by guest speakers, film nights, guided tours, and traditional games demonstrations.
Related Stories:
These events will all run between 10am-6pm every day in this year’s expanded program.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is supporting the Urban Hide Tanning Camp under its commitment to advance economic diversification through investments in tourism and the traditional economy.
Additional funding was provided by the GNWT departments of Education, Culture and Employment and Environment and Natural Resources; the City of Yellowknife; Canadian Heritage; Community Foundations of Canada, and Tides Canada.