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Links
NativeTech.org has a good collection of tutorials covering many aspects of Native American art and culture including a few pages on brain
tanning.
BrainTan.com offers a large selection of books and products covering primitive ways. They also have a forum called The Hide Out where
tanners, crafters and people generally interested in the old ways share information and ideas. Lots of helpful stuff here
for pros and novices alike.
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Books
Brain Tanning the Sioux Way by Larry Belitz. This is a small book with an easy to follow overview
of traditional Oglala Sioux tanning. The copy I found at a powwow has a small piece of buckskin stapled to the cover to show
you what a good tan should look and feel like.
The Complete Book of Tanning Skins and Furs by James E. Churchill,
published by Stackpole Books. Even though this book focuses heavily on modern chemical tans, it gives a good foundation for
basic hide handling for many species. There is a short chapter on primitive tanning and modern equivalents. (The Fel-Naptha
soap substitute was...interesting.)
Wildwood Wisdom by Ellsworth Jaeger, published by Shelter Publications Inc.
This book only touches briefly on brain tanning and pelt handling as one aspect of a rustic life. However, I have included
it in this list because of the sheer volume of topics it covers on classic wilderness living. It is by no means a thoroughly
detailed how-to, but it does supply enough of the basics to set an adventurous mind wandering.
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