OOLICHAN

OOLICHAN

By Emma Lindsay

B.C. First Nations 12

March 18th 2015

Oolichan Today

Today the eulachon fish is still harvested and known for its fatty oil properties. Not just by the First Nations Peoples but by commercial fisheries as well. The amount of eulachon that would migrate upstream every year has always varied, but we have seen a steady decline in numbers over the past few years. This is due to deteriorating habitat as well as over harvesting of the fish.

OOLICHAN

Oolichan Grease

Oolichan Grease

Grease Trails

Grease trails are trade routes. Called grease trails because of the prevalence of oolichan grease. These trade routes led the First Nations people all over North America to eachother where they could trade for items inaccessible in their ares or learn new techniques. Eulachon oil was traded for many things, things like fur or obsidian.

The oil harvested from the eulachon fish could be used in food and stored for a long amount of time. This made it a good resource because it could be kept throughout the year. Oolichan oil was in such high demand and was one of the most popular trade items. It was such an important trade item that trails that led to trading routes were called Grease Trails.

After harvesting the eulachon it was left to dry and decompose for a while. When it was ready the fish were added to boiling water where the oil would separate from the fish and rise to the top of the water. From there the grease scraped off and stored in boxes for later use.

(eulachon)

Oolichan

A small silver fish, with a dark blue brown top and white bottom. This smelt fish is distinguishable by its sharp canine teeth and long thin body, and sickle shaped back fin.

Oolichan Oil

Oolichan were harvested near the end of winter, when they came from the ocean, swimming upriver through streams and rivers. Oolichan fish were caught by going out into the water in a canoe and hauling the fish into the canoe using nets and rakes. After being caught the fish was dried and the oil was extracted.

oolichan grease

The oil extracted from the eulac fish was unlike any other kind of oil. Unlike oil that could be extracted from seals, oolichan oil preserved very well and could be stored for long periods of time. Oolichan oil had many uses. The oil could be used in food preparation, in medicines as well as in oil lamps.

Oolichan

The oolichan, also known as the eulachon, is a small, silver, smelt fish that is found in the ocean along the North American coast.

Like the salmon the oolichan travels upriver to breed.

the oolichan is called the candlefish because it is so filled with oil, that when dried the fish can be lit and burnt like a candle.

references

http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/exhibits/timemach/galler07/frames/index.htm

http://www.gingolx.ca/nisgaaculture/ancient_villages/way_of_life/grease.htm

http://blog.wwf.ca/blog/2011/05/27/oolichan-more-than-just-a-fish/

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/pacificeulachon.htm

http://firstpeoplesofcanada.com/fp_groups/fp_nwc3.html