The Importance of Caribou to Native Culture and Economy Athabaskin community credit Travis Frost Traditionally the caribou were essential for the survival of the Northern Indian people. Records indicate that caribou have been taken near the Porcupine River near Old Crow for about 300,000 years. Hunting camps and settlements such as Old Crow came into existence because of the native dependence on the caribou movements through the area. As trading posts were established, people would travel to trade caribou furs and hides for imported southern goods such as guns, tools and other imported foods. Eventually people settled permanently near these trading posts and established small towns where they built schools, stores and medical clinics. Today, in the midst of exposure and development from southern influences, the caribou still holds a high place in the culture of the Athabaskin and Inuit Indian peoples. The cultural aspect of the traditional caribou hunt is also still important. Hunting the caribou provides a rich source of red meat, a high protein food supply.The caribou provides materials for the manufacture of handicrafts and artwork. Hunting provides the native peoples an alternative life-style from working for wages and buying imported store foods. Traditional Uses of the Caribou Traditionally the caribou taken in the hunt were almost completely utilized. All the parts from the head to the hooves that were edible were eaten. Antlers were used in making the following:   Bone, antler and fur crafted into tools and clothing Fishing jigs Sled parts Dog harness parts Pot and knife handles Buttons Bows Kayak ribs Spoons and scrapers Toys The caribou was skinned carefully and the skin was used 3 ways: As rawhide Dried with hair on Tanned without hair Caribou fur and leather provided material for making boots, hats, mittens, sleeping robes, shirts, leggings, tents and blankets. Bones were crafted into many tools: Fleshers Scrapers Knives Blades Carved into needles, awls and fish hooks Bones also provided the basis for artwork such as masks and model sleds and ceremonial artifacts. Nothing is wasted Bones were crushed and bone meal was used in cooking. Boiling the bones released grease that was used for cooking. The bone marrow was added to the dried meat for flavor. The caribou organs were utilized for a variety of purposes. The only organs not used were the lungs, which were fed to the dogs. The hooves and feet could be boiled until tender and eaten. In plentiful times the feet were dried and hung on trees along the hunting trail for use as survival food. The hooves were used for ceremonials when strung together. The clicking sound of the hooves during the dance provided a sound that resembles the sound of moving caribou. Nothing was wasted. Caribou Important for Present Day There are many reasons people are drawn to the caribou hunt. In addition to providing food for the subsistence hunter who buys little commercial food, hunting provides certain gratification and pride. In addition to providing meat, a recreational hunter participates in the hunt for the excitement and chance to relax away from town. Caribou is a major staple for native people in communities where store-bought food is high priced. The cooperative store in Old Crow sold chicken at $8.00 a pound and beef at $10.00 a pound (1999 prices). You can see how valued caribou meat becomes when relatively low incomes make purchasing these other protein sources difficult. Caribou meat is very high quality meat. Caribou gives more protein per pound that beef, pork or chicken. It also contains very low amounts of fat. The organs provide a range of vitamins and minerals. A balanced diet is possible by eating all parts of the caribou. Eaten along with nutritious commercially available foods, it is an ideal food for the northern environment. Don Russell showing some traditional patterns Crafts and artwork created with materials from the caribou are an important aspect of the northern tourist industry. Based on traditional designs, clothing, foot ware, bags and wall hangings are elaborately decorated with caribou hair tufting, embroidery and beads. Before plastic beads were available, porcupine quills colorfully dyed were woven into flower, animal and geometric patterns. Bone and antler are carved into ornaments and jewelry. This art form is important not only for its economic value, but also for ensuring that the traditional skills for creating the works are not lost. Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form