Naming the West : Stories Eden Valley

Students' StoriesStudents' Stories

Eden Valley Student Story 4:
Animals - Bull Elk

Hi, my name is Larren Daniels, and I am going to be telling you about the bull elk.

So where does the bull elk come from?

The bull elk comes from the north. The people first saw them in late 1800s or early 1900s.

Why are they called bull elk?

Because they have a big antlers and they’re the alpha male. They have to fight to win a herd of females.

Are bull elk considered dangerous to Stoney people?

No, they’re not. But they became our source of food next to the moose, buffalo, and deer.

Do bull elk have any superstitions surrounding them?

Yes, they used the bull elk’s horns. They put it on top of their house, on top of their door, to keep away evil spirits. When they see the pointed horns they get afraid to go in.

Do bull elk have any medicinal powers?

Yes, the Stoney people used to believe that eating the bull elk’s kidney would make them a better hunter.

What does the bull elk symbolize to the Stoney people?

The Stoney people use the bull elk’s hide to make drums. The beat of the drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. 

1:57 video (7.38 Mb)

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