Extra Projects
When we started this research, we knew that the co-mentors would need space and time and supports to follow their own interests as they learned more at museums. Here are some projects that emerged from their explorations that are not directly part of this research, but rather stem from it. As projects emerge, I offer supports in the form of administration, and those leading the project decide what and if they want to share here or elsewhere.
Harvesting

We found materials at the Whyte that suggested an old harvesting site, and protocols around harvesting.
​
We then looked around for more information about that at the University of Calgary archives and found more protocols.
​
From there we contacted an Elder and she helped us reconnect with the land, our relations, and our traditions at the harvesting site.
​
When we talk about this we find more to explore. We learned of more harvest sites from a book of Îethka place names at the Whyte (also available at the 3 Bands Library).
​
Access was hard because it was in the Park system, but this helped us to learn and think about barriers and how we respond to them.
​
This project was funded by Indigenous Youth Roots.
Hides

We saw so many dead animals mounted on walls of museums and got curious about how they came to be there.
​
Some of us wanted to learn taxidermy for our arts practice. Others wanted to learn more traditional hide and bone skills.
​
We saw hide garments and belongings, and bone tools at museums. We saw different uses for antlers and horns. We saw lots of taxidermy.
​
We hired Chris from Tall Tines Taxidermy to come teach us some things. We also asked some people from our community to show us our own traditional hide working practices.
​
Now some of us are making our own art with animal products. Some of us want to learn hunting now. We're gathering our animal parts from people who would throw them out otherwise.
​
This project was funded by Calgary Arts Development.