09/23/2026
I have so much to say about this. My heart is so full seeing it come together, this hide was gifted to me by a friend who wanted to see me make something amazing out of it. $200 of and many hours of thought and sewing later and I think I'm almost there. Making it better, there's a friend who helped me make the pattern from a sweater sewn by a third friend. So this vest has triple love coming from some awesomely wonderful ladies.
This piece honors so many of my ancestors. The Metis is very obvious in the deerhide and the western trim, as well as the use of the bear. The Germanic are less obvious, but if you read about the berserkers (bear-serkers) who wore bear hides to become fearsome bears in battle you also see the European influence.
I've been embodying the mama bear a lot recently, and been the advocate for many of the local bears that are having a hard year this year. This piece is so special in so many ways.
This hide is old, it is crumbling in some places I will be reinforcing. Its history is unknown, but there are a couple holes behind the ear and in the armpit that may be from a bullet. It was picked up from a free pile, and then gifted to me, so whatever story it had was lost. It is a smaller bear, and was not very old when it died.
Given this, I have applied with what knowledge I have to get the proper permit for it. It was a hard consideration, as I am worried they might tell me no and I will lose this precious gift. But after some serious investigation, there is a process specifically for heirloom bearskins without paperwork to be permitted so I made the application and am going the formal and proper route. I want to wear this freely and openly and the paperwork is necessary to ensure my hardworking can never be taken from me.
The small chance I might get denied is why I'm posting it now, unfinished. If it is denied, I still have a cool deerhide vest but I'm crossing my fingers that I get the approval I need. Keep your fingers crossed with me π