DECEMBER 2025
WWW.KBIC-NSN.GOV
ISSUE 36
KBIC NEWS
MANIDOO GIIZISOONS - LITTLE SPIRIT MOON
Community Engages in Brain Tanning Teachings Promise Neighborhoods Language and Culture Department collaborated with Michael Demain, a member from the LCO community, to create an amazing community event of teaching the process of Brain Tanning. Brain tanning is an ancient old method for tanning hides. The animal brain is mixed with water into a solution that helps break down the connective tissues. There are different methods for brain tanning and it can take several days. The method chosen for this event was dry scraping.
IN THIS ISSUE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
CEO'S CORNER 2025 TREASURER’S REPORT ANISHNABE DENTAL OUTREACH SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
2025 TRIBAL COUNCIL Robert “RD” Curtis, Jr, President Everett Ekdahl, Jr, Vice President Sam Loonsfoot, Secretary Elizabeth “Liz” Julio, Asst. Secretary Theodore "Austin" Ayres, Treasurer Doreen G. Blaker Sue Ellen “Suzie” Elmblad Dale Goodreau Jeremy T. Hebert Rodney Loonsfoot Tony Loonsfoot Toni J. Minton
Dry scraping is more suitable for modern day, as not all people have the time to complete a hide in such a short window that it would take to do wet scraping. The teachings were three days and was open to everyone in the community. Anyone who wanted to learn or participate was welcome to join at any given time. Michael provided four hides. One was almost ready to be brained, two were strung up, stretched and dried, and the fourth was a fresh hide that still need to be fleshed.
On the first day, participants were shown the first step of fleshing a hide and removing all the fat. Everyone was able to take a turn using the tools he provided. The second day, students from the Baraga Area Schools Ojibwe language class attended and helped string up and stretched the fresh hide. After the deer hide was stretched out and dried, the hair was trimmed with a sheep shaver to make removing the hair easier. Once the hair is scraped, the epidermis is scraped off. This was the longest part of the process. CONTINUED ON PAGE NAANAN (5)