Gift of the Deer: Buckskin Workshop                        October 26th, Nov 9, Nov 16                 

Native peoples wore buckskin clothing perhaps more than any other fabric.  This is not surprising, seeingthat it is among the softest and easiest ways to make clothing that is durable, comfortable, strong, soft and plentiful.   To a hunter-gatherer culture, there were always hides around to be tanned and softened!

In this course, we will each take a deer hide and learn to soften and tan it.   From the wet scrape method, brain tanning and conditioning, we will have a chance to make our skins super soft, luxuriously silky andthen smoked to a golden brown colour.

Making buckskin is hard work at times, but we will work together to make it as easy and comfortable as possible, and participants will leave with a nicely tanned hide to keep!  

Whether you are a hunter who wants to tan your own deer hide, or a native skills practitioner or crafter who has discovered the magic of buckskin, this course will give you everything you need to know to make amazing, beautiful and awesome buckskin- truly the gift of the deer!

Thank you, deer!

Bring: Clothing that can get dirty, potluck dish for meals, camera and/or notebook recommended

Price:  By Donation.  

Location: Duclos (20 minutes west of Wakefield)

Time: Sundays 11am - 5PM (flexible)

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Woods-Wise Survival Expedition                                       November 1st- 3rd

with special guest instructor Colbert Sturgeon

Join us for a weekend or extended weekend of wilderness survival in the beautiful Gatineau hills region. This is an opportunity to get out in the woods and learn basic survival skills with a great community of people.  Over the weekend we will cover the four elements of survival (primitive shelter building, water purification and collection methods, matchless fire making, and gathering food) with an opportunity to learn more advanced survival on Monday.

Colbert Sturgeon is a primitive living skills practitioner and nature enthusiast with a background in fishing, hunting and trapping. He has been teaching applied earth skills at primitive skills gatherings and running workshops from his 40 acre home in the woods since the early 90s. He currently lives in the southeast of the United States where he retired early from his "real job" to live in closer relation to the natural world.

Bring: equipment list to be given upon registration

Price: $100 for the weekend, $150 for the 3-day weekend (Worktrade and sliding scale options for financially challenged)

Location & Directions : Near Masham QC (approx. 45 min. from Ottawa) Travel west on 366 through Masham towards Duclos until you reach an intersection with a flashing yellow light.   Turn right onto Cleo Fournier and travel north until you reach Montee Belise (first street on the left) Turn into the first driveway on the left (2 story, white farmhouse)

Time: meet at 1pm Saturday

What to Expect

The woods-wise weekend will be a fun, go at your own pace weekend of wilderness survival and primitive living skills. We will create a basecamp in the woods behind the farmhouse.  Skills will be taught at the base camp and/or at the farmhouse.  Bring your own sleeping arrangements, and we can accomodate you in the house (some beds may be available), or on the land.  Saturday night may be spent around a fire with good company and entertainment.

Note that we are excited to have an extremely knowledgeable guest instructor, with a great attitude and funny Georgian accent.  Colbert is truly one of the best.

Requirements:

- Age 14 or over (younger may be admissible, after a discussion with the Earthlore directors)  

Itinerary

The following is a general guideline.  Subjects and activities may change based upon the desires and interests of the group, weather conditions, and other variables. 

Suggested Survival Trek Equipment List

We may be able to borrow or rent equipment for you.  Army surplus stores are a good source of reliable, affordable outdoor equipment.     Otherwise, Mountain Equipment Co-op or similar stores should have what you need.  A good gamble is to check ST. Vincent de Paul’s, Value Village or similar used clothing stores to check for good wool clothing.  Don’t forget to check for thin, comfortable Merino wool sweaters that can comfortably be worn next to the skin by most people.

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Wild Weaving Basketry                                                                   November 9th

This workshop will teach you how to weave from the wilds and not so wild places. Each participant will make a hoop basket: a traditional handled basket which looks beautiful and is functional even if it is your first basket! Also learn how to find and harvest your own basket materials from the woods, roadsides and gardens – you will start to see basket materials everywhere and be given the tools and an understanding of the nature of the materials to experiment on your own. Experience the community of creating with your hands while sharing stories and laughter.

Bring: Ideally clippers, but can bring knife (or heavy duty kitchen scissors), camera and/or notebook recommended, be prepared for some outside time and possibly working outside on a southern slope in the sunshine.

Price:  $40. Includes: basket materials, expert instruction, herbal teas and snacks.

Location:  183 ch du Lac Bernard. (Hwy. 105, 5 km north of Wakefield, QC. Turn left at ch des Erables, turn left at the t -juction by the Outpost store. Make an immediate right onto Lac Bernard and travel 3 km, (3rd driveway on the left after the sharp turn to the right).

Time:  1 – 4:30 PM

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Nature Christmas Decorations                                             Nov. 29th and/or 30th

Take a moment to relax with us and enjoy the spirit of the season while creating beautiful gifts and skills to share with loved ones. Discover the beauty and simplicity of native, natural materials, such as willow, dogwood and cattails, as you learn how to transform them into split willow reindeer and cattail angels. We will introduce some traditional skills such as rope making and simple knots to help you along in your unique creations

                 You are welcome to join us either day or both if you like. Drop-in attendance welcome.

Bring: knife with a locking blade, camera and/or notebook recommended Price: $10/person/day, all materials included            $10/child (7 and under) with adult Location: Saturday - Pipolinka's, 8 ch Valley, Wakefield QC.                  Sunday - 8 ch Du Prof Burt, Chelsea, QC                     Directions: (see mapquest only -but still not really                       accurate NOT Google maps) From Chelsea at Scott Road and HWY 105 - travel 3km north on hwy 105 turn right at the parking lot for Larrimac Golf Course (beginning of ch Larrimac) At the far end of the parking lot take Chemin Privee (white sign) which turns into ch Du Prof-Burt follow road to end of street.* Burgundy house - use lower entrance From Wakefield - travel south 4 km from La Valley Retaurant on highway 105. Turn left at the parking lot for Larrimac Golf Course (beginning of ch Larrimac) At the back of the parking lot take Chemin Privee (white sign) which turns into ch Du Prof-Burt follow road to end of street.* Burgundy house - use lower entrance *note: if you do not have 4wd or snow tires please inquire about the condition of the road - or park in the golf course parking lot and enjoy a 10 minute walk to the house with lovely view of river. Time: 1-3 PM

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