Learning Story – Scraping the Hide
The Week of May 13th, 2025
What Happened?
The hides are at a new stage. They have been soaked in tanning solution, and now we have begun punching the hide with a scraper. We are trying to remove most of the membrane to thin and soften it. Not only have the Bushkids been working on these hides, but other groups of children have also been working on the different hides over the past few months. As we move through the different processes, we invite the Bushkids to participate at least once during the day. We ask them to spend some time with the hide and to ask questions and notice the process and how it feels to work on the hide.
“I like learning about this part of the hide. I didn’t know that that is what you do.”
“Look at how much liquid is coming out when I scrape it.”
“What Beatles song shall we sing?”
“How do we know we are done?”
Why is it Important?
As we move through the different stages of tanning a hide, we are humbled by all that we are learning together. The hide has brought us together time and time again. The Bushkids spend time with the hide and get to know each other in the process. The hide gives some of the Bushkids, who don’t necessarily always play together, time to spend together and get to know each other. Working together to achieve a common goal builds relationships and resilience. The group is relying on each other to finish tanning the hide. This is a great model for the Bushkids to witness, as it may impact their perspectives as they grow and become part of their own communities.
Dene Kede: p 183-185
Students will:
Understand the value of using natural resources for making clothing. (For comparative warmth, lightness, strength.)
Give thanks to the animals which provide the material for clothing.
Know how materials were prepared for clothing (rotted wood for tanning, shaving of hair, softening hides with fat, working with hair on, softening one side, making trimmings, lacing).
What Does This Mean For Next Time?
Next week, we end the season with a time to celebrate all that we have learned about ourselves, each other, the Hide and the Land. The hide will be out and all of the families are welcome to come to participate in the process that the Bushkids have been a part of for the last 8 weeks. We will have moose stew and bannock at lunch for everyone. The Bushkids are welcome to bring a treat to share with everyone. We hope to see you there!