Moose tanning camp gets funding
Dene Nahjo project coming back to Somba K'e Civic Plaza in September
Jessica Davey-Quantick
Northern News Services
Friday, August 18, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Council unanimously approved $5,000 to fund this year's Dene Nahjo Urban Hide Tanning Camp at a Wednesday special council meeting.
Yukino Yamamoto uses a bone tool to scrape a caribou hide as Tania Larsson watches and provides guidance at last summer's Hide Tanning Revitalization Project.
Hides dry inside the tipi set up as part of last summer's Hide Tanning Revitalization Project. The camp returns again in September. - NNSL photos |
The money comes from the Heritage Committee Project Funding budget.
Heather Nakehk'o, senior project administrator with Dene Nahjo, told the municipal services committee on Monday that last year's camp was a success due to funding from the city and GNWT.
"We're looking to do the same again this year, at a little bit higher caliber than what we did last year," she said.
The camp is scheduled to run from Sept. 5 to Sept. 15, open to the public Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dene Nahjo previously ran a hide tanning camp in Fort McPherson in 2015, and the Hide Tanning Revitalization Project in Yellowknife last summer.
In 2016, the city funded the project to the tune of $3,000. With the $2,000 increase, it will be able to expand.
Nakehk'o said last year, she saw more than 200 visitors a day, and organizers have incorporated feedback to make this year even more successful.
The camp will again feature hide tanning demonstrations from various regions across the North, led by elders and hide tanning instructors, as well as a list of guest speakers who will cover a range of topics from local history and language to reconciliation and decolonization.
"It's open to participants who want to learn how to hide tan themselves, open to the public who are interested in just coming to learn about hide tanning, maybe try it out for themselves," said Nakehk'o.
There will also be people on site to answer questions. She added because the dates will coincide with the school year, Dene Nahjo is partnering with the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre to offer guided tours of both the museum and the camp with students.
This year will also feature a movie night hosted by filmmaker Amos Scott featuring Indigenous filmmakers, and an artist market coinciding with the Farmers Market on Sept. 5 and Sept. 12.
"This recommendation was wholeheartedly endorsed by the committee," said Coun. Julian Morse, who chairs the Heritage Committee.
"I think this is a really great opportunity for the city to partner with this great organization that's doing this work that, is kind of preserving what I would call living here. It's a great project."
The camp will also be one of the YK 50 anniversary signature events.
