Our Organization
Youth
Adultᐁᐦ ᓈᓈᑣᐳᑎᐦᑕᒀᓄᐎᐦᒡ
ᐋᐦ ᑖᔥᒋᑭᐦᐄᒑᓂᐎᒡ
Log Sawing
Eventually, hand saws became available, but they were rarely used to ensure they remained in good condition.
When a saw was used, only parts of the log were cut—sometimes just halfway through.
It was faster to use an axe instead of sawing the log. The way they would cut the log was by chopping the log partially ᐁᐦ ᒋᑳᑲᐦᐋᒃ / ᐋᒋᑳᑭᐦᐋᒃ in Cree. Afterward, the log was slammed multiple times and further chopped with the axe.
The term used was ᒋᑳᑯᐳᑖᐤ/ ᒋᑳᑭᐱᑖᐤ, meaning to shorten the log using a hand saw.
It was the women who went out to chop wood, after which they continued with other tasks, such as hauling water.
– Louise Mayappo
We didn’t carry a saw around. The logs were cut down, chopped up, and transported to camp.
Saws were made and used very carefully at camp to avoid breaking the blade—there were no spare parts available.
It was the women’s job to cut the logs—ᓈᐧᑖᐳᒋᐦᑕᐧᑫᐅᒡ—to saw the wood—ᒌᔥᒋᐳᒉᐅᒡ—and to chop the wood—ᒌᐦ ᑲᑖᔅᑲᐦᐄᑌᐅᒡ. The men would help by transporting the logs—ᒌᐦ ᐊᔮᐅᑎᓂᑳᑕᐦᒧᒡ—and bringing them closer to camp.
It was the man’s responsibility to go out hunting and provide food for the family.
– Matthew Ottereyes
A hunter always made sure to carry a teapot. When he wanted to drink tea and have his lunch, he would build an open fire—ᐄᓂᔥᑯᑌᐤ.
For a snack, he would have bannock—ᐋᐃᐦᑯᓈᐤ—and roast moose meat on a stick—ᐁᐦ ᒌᔥᑕᐦᐄᑲᓄᐧᐃᐦᒡ ᒨᓱᔮᔅ.
Anywhere was good for making a fire—ᐁ ᑯᑐᓱᓈᓄᐧᐃᐦᒡ—but first, he would press down the snow before lighting it.
They never stayed long. Once the snack was done, they would continue on their journey—ᐃᔅᐱᒎ.