Hide and Fur
The most common hide used by First Nation people is moose hide. When tanned right, the animal hide is soft and easy to sew. Cut off the fur, and stretch it out to scrap off the flesh. Once the animal hide has been cleaned off and stretched out dry, the hide is smoked to that nice tan color. Then the hide can be used to make into dresses, hats, gloves, and slippers. Hide garments are put together with strong sinew. Traditionally, sinew was made by the muscles of a moose. Beaver fur is commonly used for winter garments because they repel water. You can use any animal fur to trim your garments. I have a pair of moccasins with rabbit fur trim.
You can also use the hide to make hand drums. The hide will not be smoked and will be soaking until you are ready to make a drum. The drum I made is for dancing. Hand game drums will have a sinew string across for a specific sound. This drum is made out of deer hide that has been soaked, scrapped and then pulled over the circle frame.
