Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day

Location: Fibershed Learning Center, Point Reyes Station, CA (address provided on enrollment)

Cost: Free. Enrollment eligible for self-identified Tribal Members in Marin, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties

Teachers: Jay Sliwa – Traditional hide tanner, with 25 years experience in the tanning arts
& Tišina T. Parker – Southern Sierra Miwuk / Yosemite Paiute / Kashia Pomo

Join us for this traditional making of California sacred regalia. In this class we will explore processing techniques involved in brain tanning buckskin leather. We will also hold council together about ethics in material collection, tribal sovereignty and land access issues, ceremonial practices of working with animal ancestors and cultural sharing through re-making tradition together.

All natural and wild gathered materials of buckskin hides, animal brain for tanning & wood punk for smoking provided. All tools provided.

This is a 3 full day class — Friday, Saturday & Sunday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. This class requires a good amount of physical work & can be taxing on the body, please be prepared to put some muscle into it! Elders or people with physical differences may wish to send a family member to process the hide as an offering for them. This process requires intimate interaction with animal elements. Please wear old work clothes & shoes that can get dirty, messy and wet.

Out of mutual respect for each other, teachers and our collaborators, students are asked to commit to attending class for full length and time on all days. Lunch & drinks will be provided. If you have strict dietary needs, please consider also bringing some of your own personal nourishment.

To register, email: cimcc.interns@gmail.com

Important note: Due to the ongoing pandemic, masks are required in indoor spaces for all participants, and we will maintain appropriate physical distance during the class.

This cultural class offering is generously & collaboratively supported by Fibershed and California Indian Museum and Cultural Center.

Download a PDF flyer: Buckskin Flyer, April 2022

(Photos courtesy of Tišina T. Parker)