LAC LA BICHE - On March 11, a group of about 30 people gathered inside the Maniskaw Room at Portage College to learn how to create Indigenous caribou hair tufting art, enjoy homemade bannock, tea, and other refreshments, listen to traditional storytelling, and even learn a few words of Cree.
The event, titled ‘Art and Bannock: an Evening of Connection,’ was put on by second-year students in the Portage College Community Social Work program. The event, complete with raffle draws, served as a fundraiser for residents of the William J. Cadzow Hospital continuing care unit.
Grace Anne Grant, a local traditional hide tanner and artist, put on a workshop teaching those who attended how to make a traditional Indigenous caribou hair tufting art tulip using caribou hair. Tufting is a decorative art in which dyed animal hair is used along with sinew and other items to create sculpted designs.
During the event, which took place from 6-9 p.m., there was also a small silent auction in which paintings and other artwork done by local artists were on display for people to bid on.
