Oolichan Field Trip-March 2013-Ground 2 Griddle Kitchen Writings
On Friday, March 8th, the Ground 2 Griddle kitchen participants began an exciting journey to find out about the Oolichan Run in the Nass River Valley. Oolichan is a small, oily fish from the Smelt family who were and are an important food of the First Nations people in BC. Oolichan is rendered into “grease” and is used for eating and as a valuable trade item.
We travelled from Smithers to Terrace and from Terrace towards our destination along the Nass River. It is a winding and beautiful journey around Kalum Lake, Sand Lake and eventually Lava Lake on the way to Gikwinksilhk (Canyon City). A local, Nisga’a elder accompanied us from Gikwinksilhk towards Kincolith and the Oolichan camps along Fishery Bay. Follow the link below to find out more about Oolichan and about one of the camps we saw on our trip.
Here is what some of the kitchen participants had to say about their experience!
Sue
My favourite part of our trip to the Nass, the oolichan camps on the Nass River
This was my first opportunity to finally get to see the where, who, how and why of the oolichan run! This was my opportunity to see where my life-long neighbours, relative and our friends go to every year to harvest and fish. This fish is our much needed and loved staple in our traditional, west-coast diet and this was a unique chance to see how it is all done. How it has been done since our ancestors began harvesting this precious staple.
I took a few pictures for my collection of memories of this awesome trip. I might otherwise never have had this incredible trip.
Dana
The Favourite Part of The Trip
My favourite part of the trip was being outside in the woods and seeing the fish. I could not believe all of the oolichan I saw it was just unbelievable. The fish went on forever and ever. The field trip itself was cool, I had been wanting for some time to go on this trip. Learning about the Oolichan was fun and how these little fish can be used and the process it takes to get the oil.
Simon
A Reconnection to My Past
Our trip back to Nisga’a Territory was very enlightening and refreshing. It has been about ten years since I was back up to the Nisga’a for a visit. The Oolichan run this trip was very gratifying, in that it was my first experience to watch and learn the technique of making oil from those tasty little fish. Being Aboriginal, fishing and processing is part of my heritage so I enjoyed all the time with our knowledgeable elders who were willing to share their information with us before it is all gone in the same way of the Dodo bird!
My favourite part of the trip was when we came to the Nass and I felt like I had stepped back into time. Where nature was in control and respected; not like today where man is busy taking what they need or want because they can.
The people we met on our trip honoured their ancestors and shared their sacred knowledge with us. It was an amazing experience where I was able to allow myself to breathe and take in the beauty that surrounded me. I was able to reconnect with the land, the animals and learn many traditional ways of the Nass people who still to this day, guard their land, their ways for the future generations and honour their ancestors.
