Tanning hides is a difficult job involving many hours of work. Using special
tools and knowledge passed down through many generations, the hides are scraped
and processed several times before they are ready to use.
Steps to Tan a Caribou Hide
1) Cut off the hair with a sharp knife, called beh in Dogrib. The caribou
hide held by hand, and supported by a women's legs while sitting.
2) Scrape any flesh adhering to the hide. This is called nahts'ehdze
- "to scrape the meat off." A scraping tool, called k'eje is
used. The hide is supported on a short birch pole called a K'edzechii.
3) The hair stubble and outer layer of skin is removed next, using the same
tools This process is called woghatsii hats'ehdze - "we scrape off
the hair."
4) The hide is then soaked overnight in warm water to rinse out blood. This
process is called etodoo gha aats'eege.
5) The hide is wrung out (aats'eege), using a special stick called a
gogehtsii.
6) The hide is then soaked in tanning solution made with warm water, caribou
brains (ekwigho), and spinal cord (enozhii). The tanning solution
is called etozhati.
7) The hide is wrung out again.
8) Depending on the quality of the hide repeat steps 6 and 7 as necessary.
9) The hide is then hung on a pole outside to dry and bleach in sun and wind.
10) Next it is put in the tanning solution again overnight.
11) While it is still in the tanning solution, the hide is scraped and stretched
using a stone scraper (kwete). This helps to work the tanning solution
into the pores, and to soften the hide. This process is called tenats'ewo.
12) The hide is wrung out again...
13) ...and is hung to dry again.
14) When it is completely dry it is put over a smoking fire and lightly tanned
on the flesh side (wetoo) of the hide. The hide acquires a very light
yellow colour. This process is called wek'eo ats'ehi.
15) The hide is placed for a final soak in the tanning solution to which is
added one cup dishwashing liquid and one cup of cooking oil. The hide is soaked
overnight.
16) The hide is hung on a pole and scraped with a stone scraper (kwete).
If it stretches easily then the process is nearly done. If not then go back
to step #10 and repeat.
17) Wring the hide out again.
18) Scrape the hide all over with a kwete, softening the hide, until it is dry.
19) When it is completely dry it may be smoked for colour. This process is called
weyii hots'ehkw'e. (Hides used for making lodges were not smoked.)
