Craft Workshops
Slow down, use your hands,
make something beautiful
Craft is about using your hands, heart, and ingenuity to make objects that have soul. Craft connects us to endless generations of clever, tool-using humans that knew how to make what they needed from their environment.
In these classes, you’ll work on a craft project from start to finish. The classes will take place in a spacious shelter heated with a wood stove. All materials are provided, and you’ll take home the end result of your handwork.
When we craft together in the woods there is a direct, sensory connection to what we’re making. We’re surrounded by the same trees whose wood we’re carving, and we feel their warmth in the crackling fire. The smells, textures, and gestures all conspire to connect us to something timeless and beautiful.
Craft classes: Winter 2025/26
Make a knife of your own
A good knife is your best friend in the woods. Using a carbon steel blade, you will build and shape a custom handle using the wood of your choice and make a leather sheath.
What you'll learn
- What makes a practical knife
- Designing an ergonomic handle
- Fitting the blade securely
- Making a bushcraft vise
- Woodworking skills
- Leathercraft skills
- Knife sharpening
When: Jan 17th and 31st, 10am-4pm
Where: Kahnawake
Cost: $270
From tree to spoon
Learn how to choose a branch in the forest and transform it into a beautiful spoon. Green wood carving is about simplicity and following the patterns found in nature.
What you'll learn
- Choosing a carving knife + sharpening
- Gathering and working with green wood
- Axe skills: splitting and rough carving
- Safe and effective carving techniques
- Wood finishing with oils
- Engraving designs (kolrosing)
When: March 1st, 10am-4pm
Where: Kahnawake
Cost: $130
The site in Kahnawake
We are grateful to be able to host many of our programs on Kanien’kehá ka (Mohawk) territory, in our friend Kawisente Carole McGregor’s forested backyard. We share the site with Kawisente’s family, our colleagues at Coyote Programs, and many plant and animal neighbours.
Getting there
Driving: From Montreal, it’s a 20-45 minute drive to Kahnawake depending on your starting point and traffic. Morning traffic on the weekends is typically fine.
Carpooling: We set up an online carpooling sheet to help participants organize rides, and this works out quite well.
Other Options: In rare instances where carpooling doesn’t work out, we suggest renting a Communauto.
*Detailed directions will be provided upon registration
Amenities
The site is situated in a beautiful mature Eastern Hardwood forest that provides an ideal outdoor classroom.
Amenities are basic, but that’s where our bushcraft skills come in. We have a fire circle and log benches, large rain tarps if it rains, water jugs for drinking and handwashing, and an outhouse for bathroom duties. It’s like being in a wilderness base camp, right beside the city.
Please let us know if you have any specific accessibility needs.
Cultural Respect
Kahnawake is the territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka nation. Our host, Kawisente Carole McGregor, has generously invited us to offer classes at her home with the goal of cross-cultural learning and exchange.
As guests, it’s important to come with a respectful attitude and behaviour, both at classes and when visiting Kahnawake.
Wise Oak is not an Indigenous-run company. We do, however, have Indigenous instructors in class on a regular basis, and centering Indigenous knowledge systems is an important part of our work.
If you are Kahnawakehro:non, or Indigenous from another place and have questions or want to get involved, please reach out.
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