Lac La Ronge Indian Band's James Ratt instructs a teenager on how to make a bow. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

traditional activities

Ratt instructs PBCN students on art of making bows and arrows

Aug 10, 2020 | 4:47 PM

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation youth living in Prince Albert are in La Ronge this week learning how to make handmade bows and arrows.

The small group was brought to town by Randy Clarke, who is a fourth-year education student from the First Nations University of Canada. He decided to volunteer his time so urban band members could be exposed to traditional teachings, as well as so he could gain land-based experience for when he becomes a teacher.

“We have a lot of people moving from the reserve to urban areas… looking for work, housing or getting an education,” Clarke said. “A lot of these students who grow up in the city never get to experience living in the outdoors. This is why we set up the camp, so they can come and experience the outdoors, plus the bow and arrows are part of their native heritage and traditions.”

The students arrived in town this morning and will be staying until Friday. They are being instructed by Lac La Ronge Indian Band member James Ratt, who has been making bows and arrows since he was a child. Clarke mentioned it is hard to find people with such skills, adding Ratt is the only person he knows of with the skill set.

Throughout the demonstrations, the students are also being instructed on the Cree language as those participating understand very little. Clarke said it is common for youth to lose their language once they move to urban centres.

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Most of the participants will be starting high school in the fall. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“Most of them are going to be going to high school this fall, so they are going to take this back,” he said. “We’re camping in La Ronge for one week and they are all excited to do that. We also brought our boat, so we are going to go out fishing and check out the lake.”

Ratt was happy to be asked by Clarke if he would be interested in teaching students, noting it was popular years ago and its finally coming back. He said birch was the ideal wood for making them as it is both flexible and hard. Ratt also recommends using a tree with no branches so the handle will be even and bend properly.

Axes, saws and a chisel are all used in making the bows and arrows, and the arrows will be filed down to a sharp point instead of using arrowheads. The bow string is manufactured and is called gut or sinew.

“They are all doing their part,” Ratt said of the students. “It’s hands-on experience. We watch them very carefully because, if they just watch, how are they going to learn? Hands-on experience is the best. You let them do a little bit now and then and watch them, so they are very careful.”

Each student will return home with a bow, arrows and an arrow bag. The program was made possible through funding by Jordan’s Principle.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno