Level 2 – Exploratory Learning (Upper Elementary/Middle School) | Subsistence & Foods | Kinesthetic Learning, Direct Instruction

Food From the Land Guwakaan Sitka Black-tailed Deer “We are stewards of the air, land, and sea”. We must realize that food obtained from the place we live are gifts. Respect is essential. It is believed that plants and animals have spirits and if you don’t take care of them and treat them with respect when hunting, fishing, or gathering, then that spirit will tell the others not to go to that person. Then that person will always have bad luck when hunting. Nothing is wasted. Not only are deer used for food, but their hides can be used to make drums and clothing. Hooves can be used for regalia and rattles. The horns can be used for tools. Sitka Black-tailed Deer, or Guwakaan in Tlingit was, (and still is) one of the most important land mam- mals hunted by the Tlingit people. If you ask the locals and elders…