Creating a new future with leather and textiles

“When I designed this program, I was looking for something the offenders can take with them when they leave here,” says Karl Lech, CORCAN instructor in the sewing and leather program at Warkworth Institution in Ontario.

“It has to be low-cost, so we try to make it as much hands-on as possible with the products we are making. Basically, they can set their business up for $500, and they can do it just at their homes.”

Karl was instrumental in establishing the sewing and leather program in September 2008. The program, offered through CORCAN, is aimed at participants who are Indigenous or following an Indigenous way of life. Initially, Karl taught the first 13 participants how to make Indigenous-inspired handicrafts, such as drums, mittens, bags, and moccasins.

Program results in saleable creations

The program has since grown into a successful Indigenous product shop with a greater variety of items created by offenders, including hats, headbands, and dream catchers. They also make leather glasses cases for the offender eyewear department at Beavercreek, as well as leather badge holders for Correctional Service Canada’s national headquarters. The revenue from the sale of these products is reinvested into the CORCAN program.

Karl is always looking to introduce more products for the men to create. This allows the program to purchase different tools, increasing participants experience. “The more equipment I can introduce them to, the more knowledge they’ve got when they get out of here,” Karl says.

Program participants are taught hand sewing and how to use tools for leather and other natural textiles. They get experience with textile equipment, such as industrial sewing machines, hot knifes, rivet machines, a 20 ton clicker press used to die cut the leather products, and compound mitre saws to cut the drum frames at the shop. The technical skills and techniques of working with leather and textiles that participants learn are valuable to set them up for employment upon release. In addition, they also learn essential communication and problem-solving skills that are transferable to all types of employment.

Participants of the sewing and leather program also receive vocational training as part of CORCAN’s program, such as forklift training, resume writing, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). Those who further advance their skills can receive an Entry Level Fur Machine Certification through the Fur Council of Canada.

Over the years, Karl also established positive relationships with Indigenous organizations.

“Many Indigenous cultural centres that I have visited are all in support of the program and quality of the products produced,” Karl says proudly. “When we get feedback from the Elders and Indigenous liaison officers who have been here and seen what we are doing, they all appreciate it.”

Making traditional items, eye-opening

Karl reflects on past participants. “The program was an eye-opener for a lot of them,” he says. “In the process, they believe that the product they were making is sellable, and people appreciate the work they have done.”

He remembers James, one program participant, as a curious student who was eager to learn. Now, he is using his skills in the community.

“When I was at Warkworth Institution,” says James. “I saw an opportunity to grow and to learn new things in my healing journey. I learned there is a fur and shearing shop here, and I was immediately interested. When I was released, I saw an opportunity here. I transferred the skills I learned into the community, so now I have a side business.” He sees Karl as a supportive mentor. “Karl is great, and we had a great working relationship”. When James was released, Karl helped to connect him with the leather suppliers to get him started.

Another past participant, Dale, says he appreciated the program from an Indigenous person’s point-of-view. “I am Métis. I see the program as it allows Indigenous participants to exercise our skills in creating Indigenous artifacts. It allows us to further ourselves in our native ancestry.”

After his release, Dale kept in contact with Karl and creates hundreds of incredible art pieces on the Indigenous drums that are made in the shop and available for purchase through the CORCAN website.

Ches, another past participant, is proud of his Innu (Labrador) heritage and notes how the crafts they make in the program represent Indigenous culture. “Elders often come to our institution to oversee the program’s operation and provide cultural guidance.”

Turning skills into business

“The skills I learned in Warkworth fur shop were invaluable in helping me find employment when I was released,” says Ches. “I was able to secure a position at a business that sewed firefighter suits. I eventually became a plant manager at that same business. I supplemented my income by making and selling Indigenous crafts in my community.”

Since his release, Ches has been selling sheepskin mitts in his community. He notes how the Indigenous Product Shop made a difference in his life.

“I was able to go from having basically nothing when I was released to having a home, savings, and a new car,” says Ches.

Karl remembers those past participants in a very positive light. He notes how the three have gone on to work doing the craft they learned in the program at Warkworth. “At the end of the day, offenders now have the tools to take with them.”

“It is our job to give them the tools to succeed when they get out, so they do not re-offend. When I was talking to many Indigenous product retailers, they all said they would love to hire people making these products. For Indigenous offenders, they could make a living doing things they like, and it is culturally specific. If they do not want to continue doing this, they could get a job in the textile industry, as well, because the skills they learned are transferable.”

Karl’s confident their futures will be bright. He notes, “This is part of the healing journey.”

For more information about specialty products, Specialty Products | CORCAN Catalogue.