Reindeer Leather Tannery

Immediately nearby the Sámi Education Institute, Toivoniemi abattoir is the Reindeer Leather Tannery where students and the general public learn vegetative tanning of reindeer hides. Using traditional Sámi techniques or with the use of the provided modern heavy machinery, the resultant home-tanned reindeer leather is soft and supple, ready to be sewn into durable and practical garments and accessories, especially traditional Sámi handicrafts.

The tannery is also available for rent as long as the renter is fully trained or else a supervisor must be present.

Reindeer Leather Tannery Available to Rent

The leather industry's small business model was developed by the Sisna Reindeer Leather project. The factory consists of: industrial kitchen sized vats, an automatic rotating bark tanning solution drum, a mechanical fleshing machine, electric hide scrapers, saw-dust leather drum softener, and a selection of traditional Sámi hand tools.

The premises may be rented to artisans when vocational courses are not in session. Rental requires training in equipment use.

Document available in Finnish only.

Nahkamuokkaamon käytöopas (.pdf)

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