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Cooking & Storing

Refrigeration had not yet been invented so the Carrier had to use alternative methods to store and preserve the fish, meats and berries. To cook food, birch or spruce containers were fashioned. Pitch was spread on the bottom to make the container watertight. The basket may be made waterproof by lining it with the outer membrane of an animal stomach or bladder. Fish are dried to make them last longer. The dried fish were piled in a k’unsai. These cache pits were lined with bark, the fish were piled in then birch and earth were layered on top. A fire was built on top to dry the ground out, which prevented the fish from becoming moldy. Meat is also dried to keep it from spoiling.

Hunter-Gatherers · Use of the Caribou · Diet · Cooking & Storing · Clothing · Housing · Tools & Weapons · Story by Doreen Patrick