Four Naskapi women—Shannon Uniam, Marianne Chescappio, Julie Mameanskum, and Donna-Marie Sandy—gathered to complete a full tanning of a smoked caribou hide, carrying on generations of traditional knowledge with their own hands and hearts.
For Donna-Marie, it was a milestone. “We did it,” she shared. “We smoked this hide today. A dream come true for me. Had an amazing time with these ladies.”
This moment wasn’t just about finishing a hide. It was about reclaiming skills passed down through Elders, about laughter around the scraping beams, and about being surrounded by warmth and pride. It was about the strength that comes from learning together.
This experience brought together students and teachers from Jimmy Sandy Memorial School, Naskapi Elders, and community members who all played a part—whether through guidance, encouragement or simply showing up. The hide itself holds those stories now.
To Shannon, Marianne, Julie, and Donna-Marie: thank you for showing us what it means to carry knowledge forward. You remind us that tradition is something we do, not just something we remember.
We hope many others are inspired to pick up these teachings so that the sounds, smells, and memories continue for generations to come.