This past Saturday Stenette and I prepared to go on a traditional plant gathering ATV ride with community members. We were very excited about this little morning jaunt, and we were going to head to the High level farmers market afterwards to buy some Elk antler earrings we had bought from a local vendor. So off we drove to Cha gas station to meet all of the other quads to head off for the morning, we packed our bags with plants, scissors, a granola bar and a little hatchet.
As we prepared at Cha, more and more quads starting arriving and for me, the excitement was buzzing. This is something that I have been thrilled about since coming! I love quads and any kind of outdoor adventure. The opportunity to learn about traditional plants from elders was to be a very unique experience that I was so looking forward to!
The more people that arrived, and the more prepared each person looked, Stenette and I began to question whether or not we would make it to the farmers market.
We grabbed some extra food and drinks and filled a jerry can with gas before departure, thinking this might extend an hour or two more.. (HA).
With a massive grin we took off, driving through dirt roads, the edge of farmers fields, mud puddles, and just plain water puddles!
We stopped on the edge of the Peace River for Lunch, what a view! We made a little fire and roasted smokies and chatted in the picturesque scenery. We chatted with Trevor (the Chief) about previous interns’ experience, and he told us that it is just as much about the experiences and relationships and learning about life in BFN as it is the work completed. This was really solidified for me during the day’s excursion as we heard stories from elders, saw the land, and shared laughs around being stuck in the mud!
As we bumped along the mud paths we came to a crossing that looked very treacherous, deep mud with too much water to clear. The choice was contemplated and others talked about how logging had changed the landscape, as we chatted some took off to find better ways around the mud.
We were playing around with binoculars and other gear when suddenly someone spotted a moose up ahead in the boggy water area. In a blink of an eye, the day changed and Trevor and his son darted off in their side by side. Two gunshots blasted in the distance, and the moose was down! A young bull had been taken down and everyone was filled with excitement and adrenaline!
I could not wrap my head around what was happening in that moment, I was having a granola bar on the side of the quad and taking pictures and then we were racing down through the mud to help with the moose!
I have never gone hunting, really even seen a gun, or witnessed a dead animal, I was scared and thought I would been nauseous. When we got down there, Trevor was offering Tobacco to the Moose and thanking it, it was quiet and almost peaceful. This quickly changed my view on hunting and rapidly my emotions shifted from timid and nervous to being excited to help!
Watching this moose being skinned was like a beautiful dance, many hands worked quickly and effectively to tackle it. The men worked so well together and were so meticulous with their knives. It was truly a beautiful thing to see. We made a little fire again to keep the bugs away and gathered fir branches to lay some of the meat on, I even held the leg up so it could be skinned properly (haha that was my biggest contribution).
The time flew by watching these skilled men, and then we were loading the moose onto all of the quads to take it home! Stenette and I had half of the ribs, the moose nose, the moose tongue and a hide on the front of our quad! That definitely added some pressure to return the quad safely home! The ride back was a little treacherous through the trees and mud, and I knew that I could not drop the precious cargo on the way! At one point we were stuck on the edge of a massive mud puddle, likely 3 feet deep! I revved the engine and threw it in reverse with still no luck. Through the sound of the loud engines, someone instructed me how to put it into first gear and finally, we were out! Whoo!
After we made it back to the gas station, the meat was all loaded up and exhausted we putted our way home. We were soo dirty, mud, sand, grass, sunscreen and bug spray reminisce! I fell asleep like a literal rock after the 12 hour quad day!
What an experience! I am so grateful to have been included in the quad ride and hunting experience and I feel so blessed to have been able to participate in it with such knowledgeable and talented people. So helpful and generous in everything. This has been my experience thus far this summer, show up and be willing to learn, and be prepared for the most amazing time.
I learned so much yesterday, and I have the utmost respect for the people here. The quad experience was long and a little exhausting, and I saw so much hard work, perseverance, skill, knowledge and kindness from the people around me. Wow, what a day!
I will attach some pictures below, if you do not like to see meat or anything of that matter, please stop here 🙂
engagenorth2020 