Workshops teach about art, respect, and sustainability

Last November, Tammy Pizendewatch Cote began leading a series of traditional hide tanning workshops to share and educate the Algonquin College community about how a traditional deer hide is transformed.

Over four sessions, Cote interacted with learners and employees, showing attendees how to flesh, scrape, soften and smoke deer hide so it can be used to create usable leather for clothing or other items.

During the workshops, participants were able to use traditional tools, learn about Indigenous practices and why it is important it is to keep these traditions alive.

Cote focused on the respect of the land and animals and the sustainability aspect of Anishinàbe ways of knowing and doing.

The workshops allowed Algonquin College learners and employees the opportunity to learn about Indigenous traditions and culture. Mìgwech to all who attended and participated.

To learn more about Truth, Reconciliation, and Indigenization at Algonquin College, please visit algonquincollege.com/tri.