herring Egg harvest is a very important food source for Klemtu residents. It has been a staple for thousands of years through the history of this Kitasoo nation. The process of collection of eggs is hard labour mixed with expert understanding of the Herring and its place in the natural cycle. The herring spawn is only a few days in duration and it occurs at different times in each location dependent upon temperature and weather conditions. It is very much a communal effort and the process continues to help the community bond in common purpose. Here is Charlie Mason Sr. with his herring boat. Charlie works tirelessly on behalf of his community in the harvesting of these eggs; indeed, in all harvests. He gives freely of his time and expertise.
Gary takes some of the eggs that have been deposited on a slender seaweed. PEople create "strings" of ropes with hemlock, various types of seaweed for the herring to deposit their eggs on. Like nets these Strings are then pulled from the water with the eggs attached. The variety of styles is important. Seaweed eggs are most often eaten with the seaweed for flavour, the hmelock branches are more frequently stripped of their eggs for drying, smoking, canning, freezing as methods of preserving for use during the year.
Nice string Gary. This year the harvest was very good - with large plump eggs and thickly deposited.
Murray (Moose) Barton reminisces about the methods and experiences of collecting eggs over the years
a hungry Moose has to have a quick snack!
Mitch looks approvingly at fine example of herring eggs on hemlock
many tons are brought in and distributed over just a few short days. But a couple of weeks of watching out in a camp were required to get all of the sets ready, and wait, and hope that once again the strings have been set in the particular spot that the herring will choose to spawn - and hope that no seals or whales appear to send the herrings down to the depths.
Mark Mason helps load a truck for community distribution.
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