The Grease Trails
Series produced by Teresa Goff
In the 1700s a vast network of "grease trails" stretched from Alaska to the Fraser River, even crossing the northern Rockies. These ancient Grease Trails later formed part of the Dalton Trail, a toll road that opened up the interior of Alaska to prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. The name "Grease Trail" was given to these travel routes, because the most important trade item carried over them was grease made from a tiny smelt-like fish called ooligan.
Ooligan are a small smelt-like fish used by First Nations peoples for centuries as a food-source as well as a medicine. The fish are almost 20 percent oil by weight. Ooligan oil is made by fermenting and then cooking the fish. Called gleetna or simply grease, ooligan oil is a high-energy food source and a cultural keystone for many coastal Indian tribes. The grease itself is as fundamental to the cultures of many First Nations as butter is to Europeans. In the 1700s a vast network of "grease trails" stretched from Alaska to the Fraser River, even crossing the northern Rockies. The name "Grease Trail" was given to these travel routes, because the most important trade item carried over them was grease made from a tiny smelt-like fish called ooligan. Teresa Goff follows the... Show full description
2 Pieces
- Added: Apr 14, 2014
- Length: 13:37
- Added: Apr 24, 2014
- Length: 13:21