7-year old Ruby Teepvong holds the heart of her first kill.
Written by Mary Jane Oatman for the Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune
At only seven years old, Ruby Teepvong harvested her first animal and proudly represented her family and the Nez Perce Tribe as she traditionally honored the deer and the meat by sharing it.
On October 25th, 2020, what started out to be a tag along trip turned into a hunt with one bagged. Ruby’s oldest brother, Jackson Wak Wak and his 'aayat Asia Weaskus traveled from Lapwai to Kamiah so that Jackson could harvest a buck with his bow. Jackson stopped by to visit with family before the evening hunt and picked up a couple of additional spotters, his mother Mary Jane, and baby sister Ruby.
The pair traveled to a tribal allotment overlooking the Clearwater River, a gathering place for bucks and does as they travel from the brush to the river. Ruby and her mom stationed at the top of the hill while Jackson and Asia crept up on a small buck. Jackson pulled his string back, released the bow; miss. The crew departed to another sweet spot just down the road.
About a mile away from the hunting, the pairs split up again, Jackson stalking bucks while Asia, Ruby and Mary Jane herded deer back towards him. Nimiipuu Pit'iin: Ruby Teepvong Shares Her Young Life as a Provider 7-year old Ruby Teepvong holds the heart of her first kill. They spent another hour walking the fields enjoying a crisp fall hike. As the sun started to go down, they loaded and headed towards the road. It was at the turn that Jackson said, "I bet if we drive back to the big field, we will see deer for Ruby to get." He then turned to Ruby, "do you want to keep hunting?" With scared doe eyes but a booming confidence in her voice, Ruby replied "Yeah! I want to shoot a deer!"
Mary Jane drove back to the field entrance. When they arrived, Jackson got Ruby ready and into position for her shot. 80 yards away along the skyline stood several deer. According to her brother Jackson's Facebook post: "My sister is so outstanding, puts her to sleep at 80 plus yards she was about to shoot a 22Lr, as I kept pumping her up right after she shot she's all I saw fire come out of the gun!!! We get to the animal and she said “mom you told me you where 18 when you got you're first kill, and brother you told me it was a 22 not a bigger gun,” i was like it's a 22-250. Thanks momma bear Mary Jane Oatman, miss Ruby Jane and Asia Ann Weaskus for the Amazing time yesterday evening."
Ruby is no stranger to hunting, gathering and fishing. Ruby was only six months old the first trip she went huckleberry picking and has been gathering every summer since. Ruby has hit the hillsides picking qemus, qeq'it and loves to get dirty digging for kouskous. In the summer of 2018, Ruby spent a great deal of time along the Clearwater River, determined to land a salmon by herself. On June 4th Ruby entered the Nimiipuu hall of fame by landing her first naco'ox, alongside her uncle Vance Oatman, grandpa Bo Oatman, grandmother Judy Oatman and brother Jackson Wak Wak. They all caught fish via hook and line that day.
The family is blessed to be able to give back and provide not only the goods that are harvested, but also the time and knowledge to other young gatherers, hunters, and fisherman.
Congratulations Ruby. Her brother-cousin Jaigger, also 7, harvested his deer this fall as well. Both of the cousins will be honored in a first kill ceremony. The hides from both of them are being preserved to be given away and the pair of young harvesters are honored to carry on a long tradition of Nimiipuu providers.
Ruby Teepvong is the daughter of Mary Jane Oatman and Chaiya Teepvong. She is the granddaughter of Carl “Bo” and Judy Oatman, and the great-granddaughter of Alice Jeanie Johnson-Warden, the late John Wes Warden and Marcus “Tukeliksima” Oatman and Jeanette Jackson-Oatman. She is in the second grade and attends Kamiah Elementary.