In the Know: Hides, Tans, and Leathers

Mar 8, 2022

Traditional materials are both beautiful and sustainable, but they take a lot of work to prepare! We talked to three folks with lots of experience in this art form, covering sealskins, hide tanning, and fish leather: Mandee McDonald, Samantha Saksagiak, and Amber Sandy.

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Mandee McDonald is a hide tanner, workshop facilitator, and a PhD student in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta where her work focuses on hide tanning theory and land-based learning. She is a co-founder and the Managing Director for Dene Nahjo, a Dene innovation collective that fosters Indigenous leadership skills and values through resurgence-based initiatives.

Instagram: denenahjo

Facebook: @denenahjo1

Atelihai! (Welcome) I am Samantha Saksagiak of Nain, Nunatsiavut. An inuk youth activist, leader, musician, writer, and student. A role model and a strong voice for Indigenous people.

Instagram: samantha_saksagiak

Facebook: Samantha Saksagiak

Amber Sandy is a member of Neyaashiinigmiing (Chippewas of Nawash First Nation) living in Sudbury, Ontario. She is an artist with a focus on leather work, beadwork and moose and caribou hair tufting. Amber is a hide tanner and uses moose, deer and fish skins to make leather by hand. As the coordinator of Indigenous Knowledge and Science Outreach for SciXchange at Ryerson University, she is an enthusiastic advocate for Indigenous Science. Her work focuses on the intersections of Indigenous knowledge and western science in her approach to conservation, environmental science, education and art. She passionately works to increase access to traditional land based practices for Indigenous peoples.

Instagram: @ambsandy

Twitter: @ambersandy

AmberSandy.ca

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The ICA Pod Team is made up of Lindsey Bacigal, Morningstar Derosier, and Brina Romanek.