Hunting and gathering in indigenous communities is by no means dead, nor void of economic and socio-cultural importance. We Are All Connected: Ethical Tanning of Hides (WAAC) strives to promote and foster the art of tanning hides using ancient, natural, non-toxic methods, amongst diverse indigenous nations. These activities serve as a means to create and remember traditions, by aiding in reconnection to identity through establishing a sense of place. Moreover, WAAC facilitates the stimulation of local place-based economies (micro-enterprises). By helping people and nations in developing culturally relevant local economies, money remains on reserve, creating self-sustaining and sustainable income. Moreover, communities are supported in sharing their knowledge of traditions, participants are given a safe environment to share, and generations come together. By acknowledging the value of hunting, using the whole animal, and tanning the hides, WAAC strives to bridge cultures, and to elevate indigenous knowledge in the modern world. At our core, this project acknowledges that we are all connected: earth, animals, and people, and WAAC provides a platform for respectful and beneficial relations.

Problema

The majority of leather that is used to make garments, accessories, and other items is tanned using toxic chemicals in India and China. This toxic chemical process is destroying the watersheds where the tanning occurs, negatively impacting thousands of people, as well as all other life forms within its vicinity. The most significant harmful effects are environmental pollution and severe negative health outcomes. Indigenous people throughout the world have been tanning leather for thousands of years without the use of harmful chemicals. One technique that is indigenous to North America is the "Brain tanning" method, where the animal's brain is used to tan its hide. However, the art of tanning leather in this method is not as widespread as it once was, and sadly this knowledge is being lost.

Solución

WAAC seeks to revive the ancient knowledge of brain tanning methods, and to demonstrate a need for indigenous knowledge in the modern world. Our project aspires to find local experts of this dying art to foster inter-cultural relations and to provide a platform for indigenous expertise in a culturally sensitive manner. In the discussion of tanning, as well as the practice, awareness of inherent rights and sovereignty are fostered. By creating local economies communities advance in their abilities to be self-supporting. Multiple generations have an arena in which to come together to share, and cultural traditions are honoured.

Ejemplo

Rural communities will be engaged to participate, on their own terms. Before we enter a community with a proposition to facilitate an information session on how to tan hides and offer avenues for sales, we will research who the most appropriate people to contact are. Next we will have discussions with the appropriate people about the community's protocol, and we will adhere to this protocol. We respect each community's need for varying amounts of time and relationship building. Once community approval is achieved and desire is identified, we will facilitate a workshop on tanning hides. We will gain insight from local experts, and share our knowledge. A community appropriate action plan for the ethical harvesting and tanning of hides will then be made. Agreements for the sale of hides will also be made, thus supporting the desire to continue with the activity, and likely providing motivation for younger generations to participate.

Mercado

At this point, only very few individuals are brain tanning and selling hides in British Columbia. We would rather build relationships with such people and support their endeavours, as opposed to competing with them. Given this, the main competition are the tanneries in India and China. The challenges that they pose are that there is a high market demand for their product, and they are able to turn a much larger profit since they are willing to compromise on human rights and environmental stewardship in the sake of a quick turnaround time and low labour demands. Brain tanned leather is relatively unknown, so in our journey to promote its use we will need to educate the public about the pollution and negative health outcomes caused by chemically tanned leather, and the benefits of naturally tanned leather.