paNOW Staff
A group of First Nations men spent weeks hunting and fishing to give people a taste of their culture at the First Nations Winter Games.
The PAGC (Prince Albert Grand Council) opened a cultural camp to the public during the week-long event.
Tuesday was their “Northern fish fry.” According to coordinator Philip Morin, fisherman and hunters have been hard at work for the last three weeks collecting food.
According to Philip they have 300 to 400 walleye (pickerel) to cook. They’re also offering different foods throughout the week including duck and goose stew, bannock, smoked bison ribs, and moose meat stir fry, all traditionally prepared.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s something that’s enjoyed by all people, particularly during the summer months, you know, when people go camping and so on and they do a lot of fishing and a lot of cooking and this is basically what it is. And it’s beautiful now, so people are having a good time,” said Philip.
“We want to show all the young people that this is an important activity in their lives, that they should learn how to do these things. How to handle the fish and the meat and the wood and everything else,” he said.
“It connects them with to their roots. It’s very important for them to know what made their people survive for hundreds of years.”
Rita Morin said that she eats “traditionally” every day, including wild meat.
“That’s what we grew up on,” she said.
She said she’s excited for people to try the foods that they’re preparing.
“There’s all kinds of little stuff that people want to try that they have never tried,” said Rita, “It’s always fun to see people, their expressions, see how they like it.”
They encourage people to come out to events. The general public is welcome to sample the food, and it’s all free. Everyday they’re planning on preparing different dishes.
The site is also home to the games flame with is burning inside one of the tipis.
The cultural camp is set up at PAGC, across from the Victoria Hospital.
asoloducha@panow.com
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