There were smiles all 'round in Chisasibi as elders and students engaged and connected over the caribou, expanding their language, knowledge, and skills.
Secondary 5 students spent five days learning how to harvest the caribou . . . starting from the initial kill to the final products - the meat, the hide, and the bone. Students also learned the proper Cree terms for everything Caribou and reinforced the Cree values of respect - for the entirety of the animal - and sharing - through learning how to store, distribute, and cook the caribou.
The caribou teachings included what to do with the hide and how it can be used. Students also learned about traditional thread for sewing on the caribou hide. They learned how to clean the head and brain of the caribou as well as the feet, and the value of those parts of the caribou.
Some of the comments on social media spoke to the value of the unique activity.
"I think that was one of the "most awesomest" Mondays ever! Had our 1st day of Caribou Teachings at the elders camp today for Sec 5 students and we have it going on for the rest of the week!"
"Loved my day with students and elders we're getting everything recorded so that it can be used in the classrooms too!"
On Day 2, social media offered these comments:
"3 more [caribou] were killed and the students put to practice what they learned the day before and were so proud of themselves that they knew most of how it's done."
"Eddie also joined us today and explained the tools used when working on the caribou hide."
"A few students have come up to me saying how happy they are to be there and learning about the caribou and from the elders "
The final day of the activity, students and elders worked together to create and share a traditional caribou feast.
Each year, schools organize their own Cree cultural days, focusing on traditional activities and teachings. Nemaska will hold its Cree Culture Day on February 8th.
