This geocache is part of the ongoing Gold Country GeoTourism Program. All the fun of geocaching with an added tourism twist; discover tales of our pioneers, unearth geological wonders or reveal magnificent sites of beauty. If you enjoyed this adventure look for more in this series.
New rewards and faster ways to claim them are coming soon!
nłeʔkepmxcin: smíyc
Secwepemc: ts'i7
Tsilhqot'in: nists'i
Syilx: sƛ̓‘áʔcinəme
Northern St̓át̓imcets: ts̓i7
English Translation: Deer
Since time immemorial, the area now known as McLean's Lake has been a vital part of the local Indigenous Culture. McLean's Lake today is in British Columbia approximately 7km to the south of Grassland 7 Indian Reserve, on Hat Creek #3 Indian Reserve. Historically, the people used McLean Lake for hunting, fishing, and gathering fauna that was used for cooking and medicines. It also provided an escape from the heat of the lower elevations. The lake is also home to a variety of plants and animals, making it an important part of the ecosystem.
Men would herd deer into tight areas using enclosures, fences, water, nets, and canyons before ambushing them. Deer was hunted by nets that entangled deer antlers, allowing hunters to club or spear them. Dogs were frequently used to run animals down, keep them at bay until men arrived, and herd them into designated areas where hunters waited with arrows and spears. Indigenous people used puppies to help while hunting.
Deer populations decreased in several cultures. Deer numbers dropped in the Thompson (N'laka'pamux) region during the first half of the nineteenth century, causing North American elk to flourish; however, when North American elk herds died out, deer reappeared in the region.
No part of the deer was wasted. The brain was kept creating a solution to break down the hide into a soft and supple buckskin. Once the deer was harvested, the hide was scraped of any extra flesh and fats, then soaked in water for three days. This allows for the hair to slip and then the hair removal can be done. This was usually accomplished with sharp bone or rock. It is important at this time to make sure the membrane is fully scraped off from the flesh side, so the brain solution can penetrate the skin, and obtain the soft texture of buckskin. The water must be wrung out, and this was usually accomplished by attaching the buckskin to an anchor point and then wringing out it, to a point where there is still enough moisture in the skin to maintain maximum flexibility. The brain is heated with water and then it is massaged into the hide is by hand. Most hides reach a good point for suppleness by two massages, but some can take up to five!
The hide is then cut into workable strips and stretched on a frame or rack to dry. After the hide is dried, it can be smoked over a fire to give it more stability in storage, as well as a darker colour. Once it is smoked, the buckskin is ready for use. It can be used for clothing, teepee covering or for storage.
Today, McLean's Lake is still an important part of the local Indigenous Culture. The First Nations of the area continues to use the lake for hunting, fishing, gathering and now have grazing pastures there. They also still use the lake as a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Currently Ashcroft Indian Band and Bonaparte First Nations own land rights to these lands. So, it is important to observe the signage and stay within public territory.
Site Researched by Misty Antoine Fauna Researched and Wrote by Brandy Cooper-Chardon
Sources:
https://mapcarta.com/24275952/Map
http://www.ashcroftband.ca/content/negotiation--claim
http://traditionalanimalfoods.org/mammals/hoofed/page.aspx?id=6133
https://www.firstvoices.com/