Dozens of Native women with a desire to learn to hunt and use traditional methods to prepare the animal will meet this weekend for the first all-female deer hunt on Oneida Nation of the Thames territory.

Up to 50 women have signed up for the hunt organized by 13 Moons Land-Based Learning, a First Nation community group that helps people reconnect with the land.

“Social media just blew up,” said organizer Dayna McDougall. “Women are texting and calling, and they’re like, ‘You know, it’s good to feel included!’

Traditionally, McDougall said hunting is more of a male responsibility in this area, but she said it shouldn’t be divided by gender roles.

“We want to give our women the opportunity to learn both roles so they can teach their sons,” McDougall said.

She states that the whole animal will be used, with the women butchering and skinning the deer after the hunt and preparing the meat for the community. The skin is preserved and later used to teach leather-making skills.

For this first outing, many young people showed interest, including Tia Kennedy, who hunted before with her boyfriend. She explains that she feels connected to the land when she is out before dawn, walking in the hills and listening to nature.

“It’s about sustainability. It’s about taking care of Mother Earth. There’s a mutuality and respect associated with that,” Kennedy said. “I love being out there and just building that relationship with Mother Earth.”

She adds that it’s also a workout, and everyone comes home sweaty and hopefully with a deer.

“I think it’s important for our women to feel included, especially in the hunt, because it really helps us realize our full potential with our responsibilities as caretakers,” McDougall said.

Organizers said they were surprised by how many women wanted to participate and have arranged for a shuttle bus from Oneida to the hunting camp.

One young attendee had a tip for all first-timers heading out this weekend, advice she got from her father, who is an accomplished Oneida hunter.

“Keep all your negative energy away,” said Orianna Elijah Brown. “We have a saying that the deer can sense our negative energy. And so when we have bad thoughts, they will know and stay away.”