As we reported before, there are three major herds that migrate across and use the northern coastal plain of the Brooks Range. They are the Porcupine (180,000 animals), Central Arctic (13,000 animals), and Western Arctic (+400,000 animals) herds.
In addition, we have found one more herd, the Teshekpuk Lake herd (+16,000 animals) that occurs in the north/northwestern portion of the state. This is the herd from which the folks in Barrow and Wainwright obtain their subsistence. Although at one time considered fairly sedentary, with the help of satellite radio collars, scientists have discovered that some individuals of the Teshekpuk Lake herd have traveled as far south as the Seward Peninsula and as far east as Nuiqsut. On the other hand, a portion of the herd has been roaming around the outskirts of our village for the whole winter.
If one goes out on a snowmachine or with a dog team, he/she is usually sure to see small groups of four to 20 animals. When we approach the spots where they have just been, we can see that they do quite a job on the tundra regardless of the deep snow in places. We can see that they have pawed and dug with their big cloven hooves through the snow to get to the lichen, their major food source, especially in the winter, They have also bedded down and rolled in the spots. There is no mistaking the presence of caribou on the winter landscape.
IMPORTANCE OF THE CARIBOU TO THE ESKIMO
We have made a list for the group of the importance of caribou to the lives of Eskimos:
1. Food (eaten raw, roasted, boiled)
2. Clothing (lining of parkas, rugs to place over our legs when out on a hunt or when fishing, lining for mukluks) 3. Tools (not so much anymore) 4. Artwork (masks, model sleds made out of bone and caribou jaws, antlers)
5. Culture and Legend (the tutu man - a legendary baddy for whom you better look out if you are bad!)
6. Aesthetics (we like to see them and know they are there)
7. Wolves (caribou provide prey for the wolves. We can then use the wolf for its pelt)
In Wainwright and Barrow, caribou are second only to marine mammals for food (Braund et al. 1993). In surveys conducted in 1987, 1988 and 1989, over 50% of the people claimed caribou to be their largest and preferred source of wild meat (Braund 1993).