By Tawnya Plain Eagle

Students from Piikani Nation Secondary School took part in a deer skinning exercise yesterday.

Margaret Potts facilitated a living off the land demonstration where she spoke to youth about the protocols of hunting and how we use to survive, as Blackfoot people, from wild animals. 

“This [animal] would have provided us food, clothing and shelter, that’s what we always went by when we hunted,” Potts said. 

As part of the demonstration, she highlighted the four different aspects of the animal that is used for harvesting. 

According to Potts, Bone marrow is one of the major components that was used as a nutrient. 

Meat that includes added preservatives has been linked to diabetes, especially in Indigenous communities. 

Potts wants to create dialog around healthy eating by showing youth how Blackfoot people used to live of the land and thrive from wild animals. 

“Buffalo meat [provided] good nutrition for us, it was healthy for our system and bones,” she added. 

The students were able to provide assistance as they skinned two deer. 

She hopes this exercise will encourage more youth to hunt and learn about their cultural.

The meat cut during this program will be delivered to the school to continue with learning, as well as distributed to people in the community who may need food.