PRESERVATION OF TULLIBEE AND TRADITIONS

By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor

Providing opportunities for youth to engage in the process of cultural traditions is one important aspect of the work being done in the Cultural Resources division of the Mille Lacs Band DNR. Ga be Giizhig, Todd Moilanen, Director of Cultural Resources and his team believe that learning and understanding by participating in cultural ways is empowering and instills values that will ensure success in the future of the youth. "Our traditions are a part of our being — of who we are as a people. Our existence depends on passing on our cultural practices to our youth," Moilanen said.

Preservation of food is as important today as it has ever been. History tells us that Mille Lacs Band member ancestors moved to different camps following the food as the season changed. Fall was a time for harvesting and preserving food for the long winter ahead. One of the staple foods of this region was fish, including tullibee. Harvesting the tullibee in the fall and preserving it for consumption during the winter months was a tradition passed on from generation to generation. Moilanen said, “We owe it to the people who came before us to share our teachings and educate the next generation."

This fall, youth from Nay Ah Shing and Ge-Niigaanizijig had an opportunity to harvest tullibee by traditional netting and learn the art of smoking fish for preservation. On a chilly windy day, teams set out in a boat provided by Mille Lacs Band DNR to set nets on Mille Lacs Lake. Two youth volunteered to learn how to set a net safely and correctly and accompanied Moilanen in the vessel as the rest of the group observed from the safety of the shore.

Donning PFDs, the two students and Moilanen motored out around a rock pile near the public access of Father Hennepin State Park. Due to the winds, setting the nets in the exact perfect location was challenging, even for Moilanen. “We are close,” he said. “It is not exactly where I wanted to be, but as close as we can get in this wind.”

“Wesley” said he had wanted to learn to set a net, and he followed Moilanen’s directions to a T. When asked if he thought he would continue netting in the future, he said he would like to and that it was important to him to learn.

That is what is important to Moilanen — to pass along the cultural traditions to preserve them for future generations. The spark of enthusiasm light in the student’s eyes and the energy that excitement brings is contagious — that, he said, makes it all worth while.

The nets were pulled in the early morning hours the following day. Band statutes state that all fish harvested must be creeled by a conservation officer. Each fish is sexed, measured, and documented. A total weight of the harvest is also documented to ensure accurate harvest numbers are kept.

After the creel process, the tullibee were cleaned and set in a brine for 24 hours. Again youth were given the opportunity to learn the art of preserving tullibee by smoking. The finished tullibee were offered to the youth and other community members.

Passing on the netting tradition and the art of smoking fish is not only educational for the youth but is empowering and preserves cultural traditions for generations to come.