Tommy Bird invited a write to Southend in 2023 to document the process of tanning moose hides. (Submitted photo/Tommy Bird)

By Derek Cornet

trapline

Northern book on tanning moose hides wins provincial award

May 15, 2025 | 12:33 PM

Tanning Moosehides: The Northern Saskatchewan Trapline Way by Tommy Bird, Lawrence and Lena Adam, and Miriam Körner is a Saskatchewan Book Awards winner.

The book, which is a 64-page how-to guide that includes step-by-step instructions with images on how to tan moose hides in a traditional way, won the Indigenous People’s Publishing Award during a special ceremony held in Saskatoon on May 9.

“We didn’t expect to receive any awards,” Bird said about the win.

“But we are happy with the Elders Lawrence and Lena, and writer Miriam and publisher Heather Nickels. We met at awards night, but we had to leave early.”

Bird is from Southend and works with moose hides in his yard. Himself, along with the Adams, have been coming together to prepare moose hides for years.

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Bird believes it is important to document the process for future generations and for those wanting to learn the tanning process on their own or in groups, as there are fewer and fewer people who possess the skills to do so.

Copies of the book have been sent throughout Canada and the United States. So far, more than 1,000 copies have been sold.

Read more about Tanning Moosehides: The Northern Saskatchewan Trapline Way online
by clicking here.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com