Raw to Smoke Brain Hide Tanning Workshop

Schedule

Sat Dec 12 2026 at 08:00 am to 04:00 pm

UTC-07:00
Location

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland | Calgary, AB

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Master Hide Tanner Darrel Dixon and Alberta Landbased Education are excited to host, for the 1st time in Mohkínstsis (Calgary), a Buffalo, Elk, Moose, and Deer Brain Hide Tanning Raw to Smoke Workshop!
​The Alberta Landbased Education Raw to Smoke day will be led by Blackfoot and Stoney Nakoda Master Hide Tanner Darrel Dixon from Eden Valley, AB, alongside Inuvialuit Gwich'in Kelly Gordon and Dene Brooklyn Gordon.
​In Mohkínstsis, we will host a full day hands on landbased hide tanning workshop where participants of all backgrounds will get an opportunity to learn each phase. You will work directly on our raw buffalo, deer, elk, and moose hides through an intro to fleshing, scraping, brain recipe, softening, and finishing the day by smoking a hide using Treaty 7 traditional methods.
​Alberta Landbased Education Workshop Overview & Curriculum
​Held at: Naatowápitao’ohkánnao’p (The Fort Calgary Confluence Holy Gathering Place, AB)
​We will share all phases of raw to smoke:
​🫎 Phase 1:
Building a spruce frame, lacing the hide, skinning, and fleshing with traditional tools.
​🫎 Phase 2:
Dry Scraping. Performing dry hair removal and scraping the hide using specialized scraper tools. Don't have your own? Don't worry, we got you! We will also have Indigenous made tools available for purchase.
​Lunch Break:
We will serve fresh hunted elk stew and Inuit fry bread. (Vegetarian and gluten free options are available, please inform us of any special diets).
​🫎 Phase 3:
Brain Recipe. Learning Darrel's brain recipe and applying it to the hide.
​🫎 Phase 4:
Softening. Crafting wooden tripods and working the hide to soften the fibres.
​🫎 Phase 5:
Smoke Tanning. Gathering rotten wood, building a smoldering fire, setting up a tripod and tanning station, and finishing the afternoon by traditionally smoke tanning an elk.
​🫎 All wild game and hides hunted from Treaty 7.
​
Logistics & Registration:
​Event: Alberta Landbased Education Full Raw to Smoke Day
​Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
​Cost: $350 per person
​Spots Available: 10 Limited Registration spots 🫎
​Included: All hides, meal, supplies, station setups, and traditional tools provided. Indigenous handmade fleshing tools will also be available for purchase on site.
​How to Register or Inquire:
Sessions are private and sell out quickly. To secure your Raw to Smoke ticket, please email [email protected]

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Where is it happening?

The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, Fort Calgary, 750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G, Canada

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Alberta Landbased Education
Host or PublisherAlberta Landbased Education

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