Learning leather-making in Kuujjuaq
Lana David, left, gets pointers on removing fur from caribou hide from elder Sarah Paasa Annanack during a recent workshop at Kuujjuaq’s Mirsuvik sewing centre. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
Lana David, left, gets pointers on removing fur from caribou hide from elder Sarah Paasa Annanack during a recent workshop at Kuujjuaq's Mirsuvik sewing centre. (Photo by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman)
This is an interesting method of removing fur from caribou hides. The method used across the bay (Hudson’s Bay) is done only in the summer time. This method can be done at anytime of the year.
The way it’s done here is soaking in ponds and small lakes at the warmest time of the year and folding them and setting them aside for a few days. Then they are stretched out on the ground using pauktuutit to dry. They are made pliable for cutting and sewing into various products.