Pauline
Duncan's Tlingit Curriculum Resources - Posters
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How to make
TLINGIT DRIED FISH
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1. When salmon is first brought in, wash thoroughly.
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2. Cut head off.
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3. Slice the salmon in half and
clean out. On one side leave the tail attached
and on the opposite side keep the backbone
attached to keep the fish balanced on the smoking
stick.
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4. Hang in smokehouse overnight
with very light smoke. The next day, bring
the salmon out of the smokehouse and put on a
slicing
board.
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5. Slice off the backbone and the
tail.
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6. Remove backbone.
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7. (A slicing board is an A-frame
standing form.) Using a sharp knife, start
slicing down stomach.
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8. Lay the fish on the slicing
board with the flesh out.
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9. Start slicing down the back
of the salmon and down through the collar.
Be careful to keep flesh attached to the collar
bone and the
skin. Slice the collar right down the middle.
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10. Hang the fish; tail and backbone
back up in the smokehouse.
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11. Add a little more smoke and
heat then the first day.
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12. Be sure to move fish on a rotating
basis or fish might sour.
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When the fish is firm with smoke
in heat, remove from the stick. This is the At X'eeshi Sus'
stage. Cut a small hole on the collar or side. Rearrange
the salmon and hang up vertically. Hang the stick with the
fish away from the direct heat. Add more heat and smoke until
fish is completely dried. Depending on the weather 3 - 4
additional smoking days might be enough to thoroughly dry
the fish. If the fish is not dried, mold will set in. If
mold sets in, do not throw away. Get a bucket of salt water
and remove the mold. Soaking in the water will soften the
fish. The fish is ready to boil with seal oil and potatoes.
Process
of Drying Salmon -|- The
Dog Salmon Story -|- Salmon
Used by the Tlingits -|- State
Standards
© Pauline Duncan January,
2002 Sitka, Alaska
How
to Make a Deer Hide Drum
How
to Make a Deer Hoof Rattler & Devil Club Stick
How
to Make Tlingit Dried Fish
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