It害羞草研究所檚 not where your mind usually goes when one hears the phrase 害羞草研究所渦se your brain.害羞草研究所�
But Vancouver Island Mu害羞草研究所檒a artist Shawn Decaire gave onlookers insight into a sacred and timeless tradition among Indigenous people: 害羞草研究所� the traditional brain tanning of a hide.
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In front of a boisterous outdoor Campbell River crowd of about 40 people April 1, Decaire took questions beside his smoker. Made of an old propane tank and burning cherry wood chips, the smoker had a pipe leading up to an elk hide in its final preparation stages.
害羞草研究所淢y aim is to try to teach to reclaim some of the teachings my ancestors did once in this very land,害羞草研究所� Decaire said to the crowd, who huddled underneath the canopy that housed the smoker.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a lot of hunters out there, a lot of providers. There害羞草研究所檚 a lot of those sacred animals that we害羞草研究所檙e letting go. We can take simple pieces of rawhide, take the entire hide, clean it and give it to our pets. My dog he loves a piece of rawhide, most dogs do.害羞草研究所�
Throughout the 90-minute event, onlookers got to feel sample pieces of leather, such as rabbit, elk, and cowhide. Decaire passed them around while the crowd asked questions.
A practice in Indigenous tradition and culture, brain tanning is a rigorous process that involves literally rubbing the brain tissue of a hunted animal and water into a wet rawhide.
The emulsion helps break down the membranes that have to be removed. The hide is then softened by working it against a cable, before being rung out and ultimately smoked. The hide can be used for clothing, or traditional Indigenous toys or drums. The drum which Decaire played to open the presentation, was put together on Friday.
害羞草研究所淭he drum I just sang that song on, was just a piece of rawhide yesterday,害羞草研究所� said Decaire. 害羞草研究所淚 just tied that drum yesterday, and now I get to share it today.害羞草研究所�
The event was put on by the Campbell River Art Gallery, as part of the Mu害羞草研究所檒a exhibition curated by Nadine Bariteau. The exhibit runs through until April 29.
Edward Hitchins
edward.hitchins@campbellrivermirror.com
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