CPTnet
25 February 2005
KENORA: A Trappers' Workshop
By MaryAnn Harder
[The following article comes from the Christian
Peacemaker Teams (CPT) delegation currently in Kenora,
Ontario, and Asubpeeschoseewagong. The delegation is
meeting with representatives of groups concerned with
environmental issues and treaty rights and joining in
CPT's Kenora-based anti-racism efforts. Members of the
Feburary 18-27 delegation are Nathan Bender (Toronto,
ON), Maryann Harder (Mountain Lake, MN), Jerry Stein
(Amarillo, TX) and Karl Stutzman (Goshen, IN).]
Our friend from Asubpeeschoseewagong (Grassy Narrows)
invited our CPT delegation to a trappers' workshop.
We went, eager to learn about a practice that in
Northwestern Ontario depends on a healthy forest.
Anishnaabe trappers suffer the clear-cut logging of
their trap-lines, forcing some of them off the land
and onto reserves and the streets of the nearby town
of Kenora. Canada refuses to recognize the Anishnaabe
as a sovereign Nation, and controls and manages native
trap-lines in violation of international Treaty #3 and
Aboriginal rights guaranteed in the Canadian
Constitution.
We parked in the snowy parking lot and piled out of
the pickup, six of us, and went into the small white building.
There were the trappers, busy showing visitors how to
hang a trapped animal on a wooden stand, to cut
carefully around the feet, and to pull the skin off in
one piece. They scraped and stretched the skins. Soft
piles of furs lay around the room, as well as books
telling trappers how to conform to industry standards.
The trappers seemed happy to show their skills and
pick up a few tips from each other.
My companion and I decided to take a stroll outside.
We passed beaver pelts drying on the porch. When I
saw skinned carcasses amid the trapping equipment, I
thought of an artist friend back home and her carcass
series. Might a photo of this inspire a masterpiece?
Not seeing many people nearby, I ventured closer and
took a picture.
The owner walked up.
Thats gross, he said.
Well, some people might think so, and some might not, I said.
Thats bait [for trapping more animals], he said. Cut
it up, put a little alcohol on it, and they just love
it. I always use my own bait, never go for that
commercial stuff. It works for me. If it aint broke,
dont fix it, thats what they say.
So, I hear you have to get a quota, a certain amount
of animals every year?
Well, with beavers I need to trap a certain percentage of my allotment.
So, what happens if you don't?
Big sigh. Well, you know what the problem is around
here. Its those Natives. My trap-line is surrounded
by Natives. They never trap there at all, just claim
the line so no one else can use it. And the trouble
is, they don't have to follow the rules like everyone
else. They don't pay taxes. They don't work, just get
their cheque, and theyre always drunk at the mall. The
police can't do anything about it. If they even touch
them, they'll be charged with assault. They're not
helping us to control the animal populations. They are
just taking over all the territory. We're all going to
get pushed out. Reverse discrimination, thats what it
is...
We learned a lot at the trappersworkshop in Kenora.
_______
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