Elk Hair (Mouse)Tufting and Porcupine Quilling

Porcupine quilling is an ancient art used particularly among East Coast; and among Plains tribal peoples. Quillwork involved softening and dying stiff porcupine quills and weaving them onto leather, or birch bark. 

Caribou and Elk hair tufting is a art form of considerable beauty and still of economic significance in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Unfortunately now days  most. but fortunately not all, pieces one sees are template copies, usually the only differences are in size and colours used.

 The Bearclaw Gallery carries an extensive inventory of Moose hair Tufting.  Some samples of works that you can find displayed, but you will find much more available in the gallery.

My very, very, indigenous (to the Barry, Orillia, and Lake Simcoe Regions of Ontario, Canada; but in no way of direct aboriginal or tribal descent; grandmother Darby, was a master at birch bark biting, Elk and caribou tufting, as well as porcupine Quill work.