Hunting during COVID-19: Let’s walk our traditional ways with a healthy lifestyle as we harvest

Get vaccinated before going to your bush camp; it’s an extra layer of protection

Stay 2 metres/6 feet away from people outside of your camp

Wear a mask if you can’t distance 2 metres/6 feet away with others outside your camp

Cough and sneeze into your elbow or tissue

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer

• Use verbal greetings (Wâchiya) instead of shaking hands
• Maintain kinship, and keep a distance of 2 meters/6 feet from one another
• Use radio to check on other camps, go to other camps only in emergencies

Ensure your route is safe:

• Tell people in your camp where you’re headed
• Check if your route has changed due to weather conditions
• Consult with elders/experts on the land for safest route
   
• Learn the old ways of hunting; sit alone in your blind
• If other people used your cabin or blind before you, disinfect them
• Keep your hunting spots clean and free of garbage
• Use steel shot gun shells instead of lead
• Use your own equipment and do not lend or borrow gear
• Let’s teach both young and old about firearms safety

During tea and lunch breaks:

• Use your own utensils, cup, plate, lunch bags and thermos
• Do not share food, beverages or smokes
   
• Always have a bucket of soapy water to clean surfaces, and utensils

• Ensure that your waterfowl and animals are properly cleaned and prepared
• Harvest only what you will need
• Provide proper cold storage and/or use traditional smoking/salting methods for your harvest
• Clean up your hunting area: bring back your garbage including empty shell casings

You can be the best teacher by encouraging our elders’ teachings on family values that have been passed down from one generation to the next:

ᑖᐧᐯᐅᓰᐧᐃᓐ / Honesty

ᓲᐦᒉᔨᒧᐧᐃᓐ / Courage

ᑎᐱᐦᑌᔨᒧᐧᐃᓐ / Humility

ᓴᐧᐁᔨᐦᒋᒉᐧᐃᓐ / Compassion

ᒋᔥᑌᔨᒥᑐᐧᐃᓐ / Respect

ᒫᑎᓂᒫᑐᐧᐃᓐ / Sharing

ᑲᒌᐦᑖᐧᐁᔨᐦᑕᒧᐧᐃᓐ / Wisdom