knowledge Holder, Bill Bertschy, shared drum making teachings with me while assisting me in making a ceremonial Bear drum
I had previously ceremonially hunted a bear for this purpose and prepared the rawhide and bear buckskin for this drum. All parts of this bear have been honoured and nothing has been wasted including the bear hair that came off the hide
Below is a photographic journey of the process
Photography Collection
Removing the hair
Stretching the hide
Drying the hide
Scraping the hide
Hide prepared to make Rawhide & Buckskin
Preparing the brain solution
Soaking the hide in brain solution
Ringing out the hide after rinsing
Softening the hide with a pumus stone
The hide is now ready to be smoked
Sewing the hide into a tube for smoking
Attaching the denim skirt for smoking
Smoking the hide
Preparing the buckskin for sewing
Making medicine pouches for the paws
Making Bear Drum with Bill Berstchy
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