Page 40 - Alderville First Nation

Food

Before the Europeans came into the area that is now called
Ontario, the Anishinaabeg hunted, fished, and gathered food.
Hunting of large game animals was mainly a job for men and
was carried out in the winter months. In the summer, most
of the family took part in fishing. Berry picking was a fun time
for the children, along with their grandmothers, mothers, and
aunties. When the Europeans arrived with their goods, we began
to trade with them. The missionaries introduced farming, and
tremendous pressure was put on the Anishinaabeg to raise
livestock and plant, rather than follow their food through the
bush by hunting and gathering.

Now we buy most of our food in stores. The stores in our
community offer a variety of foods. Most people, however,
choose to do their weekly grocery shopping in the nearby towns
of Cobourg and Hastings. As well, shopping trips are often taken
to the cities of Peterborough, Oshawa, and Toronto.

Catalin Petolea/Shutterstock

Fried fish

38 Alderville First Nation

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