Eugene “Gene” Albitre grew up on a ranch in the mountains outside of Bakersfield, California. Gene was taught the traditional native “vaquero” techniques of working rawhide at the age of 14 by Salvador Carmelo who took the time and energy to teach him the art of working hides. Gene would go to his house after school and learn to stretch out hides; scrape off the hair; cut strings; braid; tie knots and assemble all to make vaquero style western apparel.

Gene’s tribal affiliation is Diegueno. He continued to master all aspects of rawhide for over 55 years, using Buffalo; Elk; Deer and Beef animal skins. He expanded his knowledge of processing, tanning, tooling, engraving, dying of leather, buckskin and rawhide in other animals including elk, deer, antelope, bear, coyote, bobcat and rabbits. For several decades Gene has been making ceremonial instruments including drums and rattles, as well as other articles out of rawhide to promote and preserve Native American culture. Gene is committed to promoting an understanding of Native American culture so that cultural traditions, beliefs, and practices will be carried on for generations to come.

Gene’s passion for rawhide and his understanding of the sacrifice that animals make so that others can survive is one that he promotes so that we do not forget this extraordinary resource.

Gene has visited museums and archival institutions to see what is documented and has noticed that there is very little evidence of the vast rawhide work that Native Americans once used. Rawhide is a material that of course deteriorates, degrades, and can disintegrate when buried over time. Gene has said that “Animal skins in the rawhide form was one of the most critical processes that Native Americans used, and it does not get the acknowledgement and recognition it deserves.

Gene has recently returned to the mountains where he was raised and is working rawhide in both the vaquero and native traditions, teaching those of the next generation the art of working animal skins. His powerful enthusiasm and genuine love of rawhide is deeply heart-felt. Gene is spreading an appreciation of rawhide and its importance to the survival of those who came before us, both Natives and Cowboys. His respect for the past and for the gifts that nature gives us are lessons that we would all benefit from learning in today’s world.