How pemmican is made and how it was used by First Nations?

Pemmican is made by drying and grinding lean meat, typically bison or deer, into a powder, which is then mixed with rendered fat and sometimes dried berries for flavor and nutrition. The mixture is compacted into cakes or balls, making it a portable food source with a long shelf life. First Nations peoples used pemmican as a vital source of sustenance during long journeys or harsh winters, providing essential calories and nutrients. It was also a key trade item among different tribes and with European settlers.