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Mary Shenvir works from Fort Smith, NWT, a full -time job, but she still finds time for her trap, hunting, and going out on the ground every winter in the evening, and took over the traditions that her family went through.
Chevir grew up on the ground with her parents and siblings. The family gained its livelihood from besieging and selling animal fur. Shaver said that the fishing is no longer a reliable source of income as it was in those days, but it continues to do so because of its cultural and personal importance.
“I am just doing it because it is the way of my life, and I enjoy it,” she said.
“I’m still practicing my way of life. My parents did it. My father, my grandparents. You know, I am here, I do it.”
Schaefer processes the animals themselves, including debris, jamming, expansion and drying each characteristic. In the past winter, two pants, 20 lynx, one Mink, Fisher one, and several Snagat caught.
“My son said I am a night hunter,” she said, adding that she was usually moved for three hours after working every evening.
She said, “I go back and look at all these cases here now, and they are like,” Wow “.
The preparation of one wolf can take up to 10 hours of manual work. The wolves used in mummification, claw pads, lips, ears, and carefully cleaned tail, add to time and effort.
Chevir says the process requires it but it can be spiritual as well, because it feels associated with animals, especially the wolf.
She said, “I don’t know what it is, but whenever you do a wolf, you feel the power of it.” “You are tired and do not want to stop, you [find the] Power to finish. ”
I recently brought some of her episodes to a workshop to formulate for some comments from the coach.
“I did very well, and perhaps better than what he did,” she said. “You are like, Wow, these are good reactions. “I was really proud of myself.”
Chevir said that fur prices have decreased significantly since the 1980s, when Lynx could sell one to more than $ 1,000 at auction. Today, she said that she only gets about $ 80 for the lame.
Schaefer believes that she will get about $ 3500 of total fur revenue she won this year. Usually, this money will go to fix or replace its devices, and cover the cost of fuel that you used on each trip.
It also uses every part of the animal you can. While the pits are sold, the bodies are returned to the ground to feed other animals or use them as a taste.
Tradition passes
Shefler also has also been known to her son Keith Shaver.
Keith grew up spent weekends on the trap line. It now works full -time in Calgary, but it still saves time to go out on the floor. He and Mary just have just returned from a snow journey of about 800 km to the Thiccolly Lake.
The two passed through the traditional hunting and besieged areas used by generations of fishermen and honesty in Fort Smith. Keith said they could do the trip thanks to the help of other territory users who assigned and advised paths.
He said that the experience was taught by self -sufficiency and a deep appreciation of the Earth.
“It is an easy way to live. If you do not mind cutting wood and collecting water,” he said.
“It is an anxiety free, you still have to search for yourself and your partner there. But you continue your day. You know, worry about a warm tent or warm cabin.”
Mary said the trip was a reminder of the changes in the scene. Forest fires burned large sections of land around Fort Smith, harmful berries, medicinal plants, and wildlife habitats, which led to the displacement of many canals and intoxicants from the lakes.
“There are a lot of rabbits. So I really raised my spirits,” she said. “I saw that and thought well, all of these rabbits mean that there will be more lynse next year.”
Marie says she is still committed to maintaining tradition alive and is open to teaching others who want to learn. She believes that more young people will be interested in besieging and bush skills if they have more opportunities to get out and try it.
“Contact us. There are still a few of us going out on the ground. We have to continue to participate,” she said. “We don’t want to lose this, the way of our life. That’s why I continue.”
