Rabbit snaring workshops -- a study in self reliance

On February 15th and 16th, 2020, members of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory enjoyed Family Day Weekend, Anishnaabe-style!  It was a beautiful sunny weekend, as community members got together with local trapper Norman Assiniwe to learn how to track, snare, and clean rabbits. 

Norman, who has been harvesting off the land his entire life, started off spending both mornings providing information sessions on the basics of trapping and snaring the different fur bearing animals in the area.  He showed how the different traps work and how and where to set them, letting us know what's good to eat and what's not, as well as explaining the costs of harvesting from the land and the prices different furs can range from, for those interested in trapping for a living. 

At one time, trapping fur was the main source of income for most families; and not catching animals also meant going hungry, as this was also the main source of food and protein.  With the decline of the fur market in the mid part of the last century, many of these skills are no longer being practiced.  People like Norman, who have been holding onto and sharing the skills they grew up with all their lives, are instrumental in keeping this (important) aspect of Anishinaabe culture alive.

The best part of the workshop for everyone, though, was actually getting out onto the land and demonstrating these skills in the field.  It was a couple big days of fun for all, as both young and old learned these traditional harvesting methods, with several individuals in the group getting a chance to snare their very first rabbits ever in their lives.  The group managed to get a couple rabbits on the second day, and finally, the workshop ended at the aptly named "Rabbit Island Community Centre" with a delicious rabbit stew made from scratch with the help of all involved. A great lesson in traditional harvesting, food security and self-reliance, community building, as well as a truly Happy Family Day everyone!  Aho!