The moose has always been an important part of the life and culture of the aboriginal people in the area. Some of the ways various parts of the moose that are used is identified below. (Clicking on any graphic will take you to a large graphic of all the parts of the moose.)
Jawbone
The jawbone is broken in half for its marrow. The marrow is eaten with meat found on the jaw.
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All graphics on this page by Liz Burke
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Antler/Horn
The antlers are used to attract moose by thrashing willows or rubbing against trees. They are also carved into ornaments and jewellery.
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Chin
The chin of the moose is not wasted but, rather, is thrown on hot coals. The burnt areas are brushed clean and eaten.
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Nose
The nose is very rich and fat. It is usually boiled, the hair cut off and thrown away, and the inside eaten.
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Heart
The heart is roasted whole, or cut up for frying. Cree hunters cut off the tip and use it as an offering of thanks to the Creator. This tradition was imnportant among Cree hunters who believed that failing to offer thanks would result in failure on the next hunt.
Slavey hunters cut the tip off the heart and thew it away. Their tradition holds that doing this will keep moose from running away on the next hunt.
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Shoulder Blade
The shoulder blade can be used for attracting moose by rubbing it against a tree in the same way as an antler is used.
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Kidneys
Kidneys are cut in halves, usually roasted.
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Liver
The liver is usually cut up for frying.
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Brain
Brains are used to soften moosehide in tanning.
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Intestine
The intestine is all fat and is usually eaten with meat, boiled or roasted.
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Tool
This is made from leg of moose and used in tanning.
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Leg Bone and Hooves
When a moose is butchered, a lot of meat is usually left on the bone so it could be eaten with the marrow inside the bone.
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Tongue
The tongue is boiled and eaten.
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Sinew
Sinew is made from twos trips of muscle taken from the backbone. It is cut out, separated and dried and used as a very tough thread.
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Bible
This part of the moose gets its name from how it looks when it is cut up: it looks like folds of paper. It is usually boiled and cooked with other good parts.
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Stomach
The stomach is punctured, cleaned and used as a bag to carry other parts, and for storage. Is usually boiled.
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