Growing Cultural Identity through Hunting and Food Sovereignty
Respecting the Harvest was created to provide youth from our 9 Nations with traditional teachings on hunting and food sovereignty and their importance to Indigenous identity. The program also teaches practical firearm safety, learning to handle a fire arm and developing shooting skills.
Now in its second year, Respecting the Harvest has expanded into a North and South program in order to accommodate a larger group of youth. Thanks to a grant from the KL Foundation, we were also able to add a mentorship component to the program where local knowledge keepers share their wisdom while learning how to deliver Respecting the Harvest programs in their own home communities. We hope this new approach increases the capacity of our member Nations to offer similar programs in community in the future.
Throughout the fall of 2023, youth ages 14-17 earned their practical firearm safety certificate at the Chemainus Gun Range following two months of target practice.
“Participants started by learning to shoot with smaller .22 caliber rifles and gradually moved up to .223 caliber and higher powered rifles. With weekly practices they became more comfortable and they continuously increased their range and distance in shooting at targets.”
Shares Frankie Shaw.
Chief John Elliott (Stz’uminus) has been guiding the youth through the program – offering his extensive knowledge of hunting and shooting, and sharing snuw’uy’ulh and wisdom about traditional harvesting. Chief John Elliott, has also been steadily involved in our annual fishing derby’s.
Come late November, the skills the youth have learned over the fall are put to the test. 14 participants travelled to Dawson Creek, BC on November 24 and set up base camp for five days of hunting. Each morning at 6:00am the group travelled one hour east across the border into Alberta to hunt mule deer led by Chief Elliott and Dean Wallace of Stz’uminus. The group was successful in harvesting many deer and the participants were very proud of their accomplishments and the team work and relationships that developed throughout the program.
Carmen George shared, “When opportunity knocks my mancub [her son, Trent Brown] grabs it with full sight! I am super excited for him to be travelling Alberta for 9 days with a youth group to hunt for a second time. I’m grateful for these types of KL sponsored programs and the fact that there will be plenty of support, seasoned hunters and Elders on hand to share teachings.”
Trent Brown gifting Elder with deer meet.
Following the hunting trip the group returned to Stz’uminus to participate in skinning, deboning and butchering their deer. The youth were briefed on the safety aspects and techniques of using sharp butchering knives, prepared different cuts of meat, and learned how to operate a meat grinder to make minced meat. More teachings included how to fully utilize the deer for example rendering the oil, breaking down the hides for drying and processing into hand drums and regalia. Finally, the youth were able to proudly share their harvest with family members and Elders in their home communities.