Oolichan Scoop

Oolichan scoops were used in the production of oolichan oil. The oil, a very important trade item among First Nations communities, is a rich food supplement that is also used to preserve and store berries, crabapples and other perishable foods. To produce the oil, also known as grease, freshly caught oolichan fish are left to ferment in large bins for seven to ten days. They are then transferred to wooden boilers, heated over a fire and stirred. The resulting “soup” is then allowed to stand, so that the oil can float to the surface. Often, cold water is carefully poured in along the edge of the container to aid the process. The oil is then skimmed off with scoops into other containers for storage and transportation.

The bird on the handle appears to be a crane, which was a crest animal, however the hummingbird was also used as a crest.

Scoop with a handle in the form of a bird's head coated with oil; evidence of red paint under the oil.