The meat is being distributed on the northwest side of the province. (Submitted photo/Rebecca Lemaigre)

By Derek Cornet

traditions

Moose meat being donated to Elders in several northern communities

Jan 24, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Elders in several northern Saskatchewan communities have received donations of moose meat in recent weeks.

It’s all due to the efforts of Turnor Lake and Birch Narrows Community Food Centre and its co-founder Rebecca Lemaigre. She has been operating the centre since 2018 and she offers traditional and cultural programming such as harvesting plants, hunting, fishing, trapping and more.

Once per year, Lemaigre explained they take children out hunting to bring back meat for the community but they weren’t able to do that this year due to COVID and weather conditions. She was initially only successful at collecting two moose, so she reached out to sponsors and hunters for assistance.

“The hunters agreed that if we paid their honorarium for their gas, meals and some shells and stuff like that they would help us get some moose for our Elders in our community,” Lemaigre said. “That started off and we received six moose. This was about two weeks ago.”

Distribution of moose meat began in Turnor Lake and Birch Narrows, but then a decision was made to also share with Elders in nearby communities. Some of the meat was donated in Île-à-la-Crosse and Lemaigre has plans to deliver meat to Clearwater River Dene Nation and La Loche this week.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

“I took one moose to Île-à-la-Crosse and I taught the Elders there how to smoke meat and dry it and fix it and prepare it for meals,” she said. “In La Loche, there are so many Elders there and it depends on the moose meat we bring in. We had enough for our community for everyone to take home some. All the Elders there probably took home a leg and a half each.”

Rebecca Lemaigre is the co-founder and program manager of Turnor Lake and Birch Narrows Community Food Centre. (Submitted photo/Rebecca Lemaigre)

Lemaigre mentioned residents in those communities have responded positively about her donations. She said Elders have been happy to receive wild meat since it’s been some time since many of them have eaten some.

Those who want to learn more about Turnor Lake and Birch Narrows Community Food Centre can find the charity on Facebook. Lemaigre noted she’s visited communities in the past to run such programs, adding she’s willing to work with other places in northern Saskatchewan too.

—

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno