Stomachs were full all week at Prince Albert Grand Council’s Gathering of Nations on Chief Joseph Custer Grounds from August 25-28.
Different types of wild meat such as bison, elk, caribou, moose, duck, and fish all were the main course alongside other traditional foods from all over the province, each prepared in unique ways traditional to different communities under PAGC.
“There’s no shortage of food, that’s for sure,” said Floyd Cook, PAGC Land Based Coordinator. “That’s what brings people together, is food, laughing, music, culture, and it’s good to get together.”
The gathering featured different types of wild meat from large game and fish from different areas of the province, all traditionally prepared and cooked by different first nations communities in PAGC.
Plenty of preparation was needed to begin the process for the event, with hunters in the far north of the province, the Denesuline Sector, which consists of Hatchet Lake Denesuline Nation, Fond du Lac Denesuline Nation, and Black Lake Denesuline Nation, going out to harvest caribou in the early spring, before the animals migrate further north back to their home in the tundra.
Further south, Cook and his team worked with Wahpeton Dakota Nation leadership, part of the Prairie Sector along with Sturgeon Lake First Nation and James Smith Cree Nation, to harvest a buffalo for the event from the Wahpeton buffalo farm.
The Woodland Sector made up of Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, and Montreal Lake Cree Nation, harvested seven moose, as directed by Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.
“I thought we were safe with seven moose, the Grand Chief wanted seven, and I thought that was way too much,” Cook said. “We didn’t even have enough on the second day. We had to send out hunters for Wednesday evening. They were successful, which was good because Thursday came, and within hours that moose was gone.”
The Swampy Sector, Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Red Earth Cree Nation, and Cumberland House Cree Nation, also prepared and cooked moose, along with ducks that they had brought to make into soups and stews.
Wild berries, bannock, and fish were also on the menu, each differently prepared and harvested by region and by community.
Overall, Cook guessed there were about 1,000 pounds of fish that were cooked throughout the week. One buffalo, one elk, nine moose, and five caribou were harvested, processed, and cooked to feed all communities, and all visitors of the gathering.
Cook also said there were about 1,500 people being fed every single day of the event.
And for a lot of people who tried it for the first time at a gathering like this, and so many communities coming together like this, like, everyone prepares the meat so different.
So then anyone coming for the first time, they get to taste like what’s traditional in all these different communities.
“For a lot of people who tried it for the first time at a gathering like this and so many communities coming together like this, everyone prepares the meat so different,” Cook said. “Anyone coming for the first time, they get to taste what’s traditional in all these different communities. They’re probably eating the same animal, the same moose, but it’s prepared so different.”
Cook said how even he noticed the differences between the way not only the meat was being cooked, but the way different communities made their own bannock.
“You’d step like 20 feet to the next kitchen, and it’s being prepared a whole different way, then you’d step another 20 feet and it’s prepared in another different way,” Cook said.
He also explained that having the traditional foods and wild meat was a treat for some urban members who reside in Prince Albert, since they don’t have access to it as much. Cook explained that it was very special that even non-indigenous people came out to taste foods that they have never tried before.
“(It’s) good to see so many people coming up, like first nations, non-first nations and different ethnicities just trying different things,” Cook said. “They’re not taking like plates full, but even just having a little taste of it. Everything was good, the reactions and feedback was good, no one had anything bad to say.”
Many different walks of life can be seen gathered around the kitchen tents of various first nations under Prince Albert Grand Council, at their Gathering of Nations event that showcased the differences between cultures on August 25-28.
Cook also highlighted that they didn’t have a set schedule for the cooking, which worked out because at anytime someone could find something to eat at one of the kitchens and weren’t forced to wait until a specific lunch or supper time.
The last time PAGC held the Gathering of Nations, Cook said there were only about six or seven kitchen tents, but this year it has grown into 11 different kitchen tents.
Cook mentioned that it’s also important to follow traditional teachings about hunting and harvesting animals, especially during a large gathering such as this one.
“Of course, (we’re) offering the tobacco and saying our prayers and their thanks for the many mouths and the bellies it’s going to fill and making sure we’re utilizing the whole animal as well,” Cook explained. “When we harvest the moose, we’re taking all the organs and the hides, the head, everything. Everything is being used, and everyone is fed very well. We don’t just go shoot animals just because we have the right that we can, we make sure we’re following our teachings, making sure we’re taking what we need.”
Cook said that his favourite food from all the different kitchens, had to be the one from his own home, and that it reminded him of his grandma.
“I’ve been away from home for almost 20 years,” Cook said. “I grew up in Stanley Mission and I hate to pick favourites, but just the way they prepped and cooked everything, that’s what’s traditional to me.”
The gathering finished up on Friday, with plenty of different events that showcased the different cultures and practices from all four PAGC sectors. Dene Handgames, Sweat lodges, Pipe Ceremonies, Drumming, Singing, Powwow Dancing, Gospel Singing, Jigging, Two Stepping and Square Dancing, were all showcased over the week.
“I think a lot of people see first nations people as the same,” Cook said. “I think with Gathering of Nations, for PAGC especially, we showcase everything, everyone does everything so different.”
