INTERVIEW WITH HARRY CUSTER - CREE ELDER
When a moose was killed everything was used and nothing was thrown away. Even the bones were used. They used to get grease from the bones. The hide they tanned.
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The women back then worked hard, they were good women, now not very many can do that. They do too many White man things, the younger women. The older women I'm sure that they still know how. |
| The older women here in Deshambault lake, the older women here still know how to tan hides and how to make slippers. A long time ago that is how they used to make clothes for themselves. Footwear, leggings all sorts of things, gloves, mukluks. But, I wonder if they had socks? I don't know, but they made bags, all sorts of things. | |
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They were good at what they did because that was in the old days and they didn't do anything half-heartedly. There was also the caribou, they didn't throw that away either. They used to use it as a rug, same thing with the bear. All fur-bearing animals can be used in one way or another, nothing is thrown away. |
| My father use to tell me
that, he's been gone for a while now, he was sick. He could do anything.
He used to make snow shoes, he made paddles, he did those things.
He was taught by his parents, I guess. The hide, I know that it's a very good thing, the moose hide…Oh it smells so good after it has been smoked. The gloves and slippers that are made, even moose hats I used to see. Boy the Indian women used to be really good at making things. I know some men that can make moose hide, this isn't that long ago. I'm not that old but that is what I was told and that is all I know. Nothing was thrown away. |
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INTERVIEW WITH: Harry Custer
COMMUNITY: Deschambault Lake
DATE: February 09, 2001
INTERVIEWER: Marlene Highway