May 5th- 6th (Saturday & Sunday), Birchbark Basketry

9-4pm, Cost $30.

Baskets made by Bill

During this two day class students will first, go out, identify, and respectfully harvest bark from a birch tree using best practices. Other materials will be discussed and gathered such as basswood bark, and willow. On the second day either a small winnowing tray, or a Mukuk (berry basket) will be created. All aspects of birchbark basketry from harvest, tools, history, ojibwe terms, and storage of materials will be provided and discussed.  Class will be held in the Opichi Room at the Wadiswan building, new WETCC campus, 2250 Collge Road, Mahnomen, MN.

William Paulson, native of the White Earth area, started working with birchbark in 2005 in the mediums of basketry and quillwork. 

———————–

May 6th (Sunday), Making  Quill Earrings on Birchbark 

9-4pm, Cost $15. 

Dana's feather quill earrings

Participants will learn the Ojibwe technique of quillwork on birch bark from beginning to end, with discussion of different materials for finishing. We will also learn how to dye, sort, and clean porcupine quills. Basic quill patterns will be provided. Students are mentored in an open and respectful environment where discussion is always encouraged. Class will be held at WETCC ABE room, 206 South Main Stree, Mahnomen, MN

Mushkiki Mikinaak Equay izhinikaazo, Dana Trickey izhinikaazo, Migizi GiDoodem. Dana practices two styles of quillwork; on birch bark, and wrapped quillwork. She learned this style nearly 12 years ago from Earl and Kathy Hoagland in White Earth. She learned wrapped quillwork from a well respected friend and traditional leader in the Arikara way. In honoring these gifts, and teachings, she shares them openly with others. 

For more info or to register call Tammy Bellanger, 218-935-0417 Ext 213 or tbellanger@wetcc.edu

Saturday, April 14th, 9:00-3:30

Cost: $10 Limited to 8 people

Opichi room, at Wadiswan building-New campus building, White Earth Tribal and Community College, 2250 College Road, Mahnomen

Make a moisturizing Sugar scrub, bath salts and Soothing Massage bar (similar to Lotion) to take home. The class will cover recipes, resources and places to buy equipment and purchase economical ingredients.

________

For More info contact Becca at 218-935-0417 Ext. 314 or Rebecca.dallinger@wetcc.edu

All classes are first come first serve.

Print off registration: Extension Registration Form Template-2

Friday,  5:00 PM – 8:00 PM- Design your knife and collect the pieces.

Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM- Prep and create the handle.

Sunday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM -Shape the handle and get it ready for finishing.

In this workshop you will be using a high quality Norwegian or Finnish blade, curly birch, antler, and nickel silver to make an outdoors knife in the Scandinavian style. For this general purpose knife you will have three blades to choose from.  Many knife enthusiasts consider either the Scandinavian or handmade Japanese knives to be the best in the world.  The workshop will last from Friday evening through Sunday. If you have a beautiful piece of wood, horn, antler, rawhide, birchbark, or other material you would like to use for your knife handle, make sure to bring it to the workshop.

Instructor and Extension Director, Steve Dahlberg, started making knives at the age of 16 and has made hundreds of knives since then, mostly in the Scandinavian style.

REGISTRATION FEE : REGISTER NOW!  limited to 6 people

$30.00 Per Person (Make checks out to: WETCC extension)

To register call Tammy Bellanger, Extension Coordinator

Phone: 218-935-0417 Ext. 213                    Email: tbellanger@wetcc.edu

Download FLYER & REGISTRATION FORM HERE: Making the Scandinavian Knife