Sheep Skin Tanning

Hide Tanning is the deeply-connective and life-honoring practice of processing animal skins for furs, clothing, rugs, and more. Connect with the more than human world and one another as we learn this ancestral skill of working with animal hides. We will explore and practice tanning your own sheep hide to take home. This Sheep Skin Tanning weekend is for both experienced hide tanners and first-time learners alike. This hands-on weekend will cover the following: An introduction to various Hide Tanning methods, history, and cultural significance. How to scrape, frame, soften, and smoke a sheep hide. How to brush and care for your sheep skin rug long-term. Understanding various hide tanning tools, equipment, and techniques. Join us for a weekend of community learning, ancestral skill sharing, and deep connection to the natural world. Program Logistics Class will take place at our school’s 60-acre property from 2pm-6pm on Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday, and 9am-4 pm on Sunday. The program will take place outdoors throughout the weekend; we’ll have rain shelters and warm fires, but please dress appropriately for being outside all day. Camping is available Friday and Saturday night on our campus. To register, select “Optional Camping” under the Additional Options section during the registration process. Camping is at your own risk and available only for Friday and Saturday. Potable water and bathroom access are provided. For more Program Details, click here. Meet Your Instructor: Jeni Ronald Jeni grew up on the lands of the Lakota peoples on Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota. She has always had a deep passion for wildlife conservation, naturalist skills and crafts, and nature photography. She studied Marine and Conservation Biology at Seattle University and had the opportunity to research Great White Sharks in South Africa and study biology in Greece. After earning her Bachelor’s degree, Jeni found herself at Wilderness Awareness School, teaching youth at Summer Camps.