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Pemmican: High-Energy Preserved Food — Reading Comprehension

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This engaging history reading passage explores the invention and significance of pemmican, a high-energy preserved food created by the Plains Native American nations. The passage examines how pemmican, made from dried meat, rendered fat, and berries, enabled survival and mobility across the vast, challenging geography of the Plains. Students will learn about the process of making pemmican, its use in daily life and trade, and how it was adopted by fur traders and Arctic explorers. The resource includes a glossary, timeline, multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, and graphic organizers to support critical thinking and historical analysis. The passage and activities align with CA HSS Framework and ELA Common Core standards. Read aloud audio and Spanish translation are included for accessibility. This resource is ideal for exploring themes of innovation, adaptation, and cross-cultural exchange in world and US history.

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Pemmican is a traditional food developed by the Plains nations of North America, including the Cree, Blackfoot, and Ojibwe peoples. It is made by mixing dried meat, rendered fat, and berries. This combination created a highly nutritious and portable food that could last for months or even years without spoiling. The invention of pemmican was a direct response to the challenging environment of the Great Plains, where food was not always easy to find during harsh winters or long journeys.

The process of making pemmican required several steps. First, hunters such as the Lakota or Assiniboine would use bows and arrows or later rifles to hunt bison, elk, or deer. The meat was cut into thin strips and dried over fire or in the sun, removing moisture to prevent spoilage. Next, the dried meat was pounded into a fine powder using stones. Fat from the animal was melted and poured over the meat powder. Adding wild berries like Saskatoon or chokecherries not only gave flavor but also provided extra vitamins. The mixture was then packed into animal hide bags or containers called parfleches.

Archaeological evidence, such as 19th-century parfleche containers and oral histories, shows that pemmican was vital for survival and played a key role in the daily life of Plains communities. It allowed people to travel long distances for hunting, trading, or moving to new camps. The food's portability helped support complex trade networks stretching from what is now Canada into the United States. European fur traders and explorers, like Alexander Mackenzie in 1793, quickly recognized pemmican's value. The Hudson's Bay Company and North West Company began purchasing pemmican in large quantities, and it became the main food source for fur brigades and even Arctic expeditions.

Over time, pemmican became a symbol of adaptation and innovation. Its invention was a direct response to the geographic realities of the Plains—few trees, extreme weather, and vast distances. Pemmican's long shelf life, high-calorie content, and ease of transport made it one of the world's first "energy bars." The food also reflected social organization: women often prepared pemmican, demonstrating their crucial role in family and economic life. Some historians debate exactly which nation first invented pemmican, but most agree it was a shared creation among several Plains cultures.

Today, pemmican remains a symbol of Indigenous ingenuity and resilience. It shows how Native American nations used local resources and knowledge to solve the challenges posed by their environment. The story of pemmican connects to broader themes in world history, such as human adaptation, technological change, and cultural exchange.

Interesting Fact: Arctic explorers in the 19th and early 20th centuries relied on pemmican as their main food during long polar expeditions, because it could last for years and provided essential calories in extreme conditions.

What is pemmican made of?

Dried meat, fat, berriesFish, rice, beansCorn, squash, beansMilk, eggs, bread

Which group invented pemmican?

Plains nationsVikingsRomansChinese dynasties

Why was pemmican important?

Long-lasting, easy to carryTasted sweetUsed for ceremoniesMade from plants only

Who used pemmican in the 1800s?

Arctic explorersGreek philosophersRoman soldiersEgyptian pharaohs

How did pemmican help trade?

It could be carried farIt was used as moneyIt melted in the sunOnly women ate it

What was the role of women?

They prepared pemmicanThey led armiesThey built canoesThey made tools