Traditional Uses of Reindeer
- Meat and organs such as tongue, kidneys, brain, heart and liver are used as food.
- Tallow or fat is used in recipes such as Eskimo ice cream and was burned as a light
source.
- Hard antlers and bone are used to make utensils, tools and decorative objects.
- Bone marrow is extracted and used as food.
- Antler velvet is sold to Korean markets.
- Back sinew is used to make thread.
- Milk was used to make butter and cheese.
- Hides are used for clothing, mukluks, blankets, mittens, tents, boat coverings, sleeping
bags, house coverings and insulation.
- Hair can be eaten! This practice has saved some groups from starvation.
Courtesy of Greg Finstad and Reindeer Roundup - A K-12 Educator’s Guide to Reindeer in Alaska.