Naming the West : Stories Eden Valley

Students' StoriesStudents' Stories

Eden Valley Student Story 1:
Animals - Whiskey Jack

Hi my name’s Ron Daniels and I’m going to tell you about the whiskey Jack.

Why was the whiskey jack called rorogue.

Well, it’s because of their kind of brownish grey color.

Is the whiskey jack important to Stoney culture?

Yes, because if you’re out hunting and you get a kill it will let you know where your kill is. By doing that it makes a sound that calls other birds.

Is the whiskey jack important to Stoney people?

No, not that much, but if one enters your house you have to kill it, otherwise it will bring bad luck or death.

So do whiskey jacks have any superstition in the Stoney culture?

Yes, because if one enters your house you have to kill it otherwise it will bring you bad luck or death to one of your family members.

So what does the whiskey jack symbolize to the Stoney people?

It symbolizes death to your family members or bad luck. It’s always there when an animal dies. And it has no medical powers.

Are they used in dance costumes?

No, they aren’t used in dance costumes because it brings bad luck.

1:45 video (6.71 Mb)

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