Caribou Cultural Practices

This section outlines where respect for caribou appears in the Denesųłiné adaptive cycle. A Denesųłiné adaptive cycle in Figure 8.1 illustrates cultural practices that show respect for caribou.

Figure 8.1. Cultural Practices that show Respect for Caribou in the Denesųłiné Adaptive Cycle.
Cultural practices that show respect for caribou in the α-state are interventions to re-organize culture in times of stress. Teaching wise hunting practices reinforces ways to show respect for caribou. Ritual and ceremony evidences the spiritual connection between harvesters and caribou. This connection involves inkonze. An adept may use divination rites to modify cultural practice. Divination influences where, when and how to hunt caribou. Drum songs connect
I first outline observations based on ethnoarchaeological work and interviews of knowledge holders. Knowledge holders talked about how they use all parts of the caribou and nothing is wasted. They shared that they treat heads with respect and handle them differently than the body. Therefore, I expect extensive use of caribou, evidenced by heavily processed caribou bone at habitation sites. The reality is that very few caribou elements are present at tenting sites. These sites are associated with processing and the manufacture of dry meat. In fact, very few artifacts are present. Cultural evidence includes a few stones or the stove, and a sanitary can or two. Occasionally and perhaps a caribou skull, a set of antlers or tent poles were left behind and the abandoned tent poles, still well preserved. Almost no other materials are present. This relates to short-term occupation and a cultural value to clean up sites during abandonment. Seasons play a role in this. There should be better cleaning up in snow free conditions, because alternative artifacts, meat and bones can be lost in moderate to deep shoes snow. In addition, dogs scavenge habitation areas. Extensive sheet middens of artifacts were present at village sites. Individual features such as can middens, or abandoned snowmobile parts are there. Most of the faunal remains that surround the houses are caribou, and approximately half are complete elements, such as humerus, tibia, femur and skulls. About half of the skulls are broken at the foramen magnum for apparent brain extraction. Articulated sections include spinal column, and entire legs (i.e. front and hindquarters), the articulated pieces suggest that harvesters did not use good cuts of meat. Their scattered locations do not suggest caching. Based on the faunal assemblage, these sites occupants did not consistently extract marrow or regularly make