Akwesasne addresses beaver problems

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Environment Department sponsored a workshop called Akwesasne Trapping and Life Skills on the Land. This workshop focused on fur harvest, wild food, wildlife management and conservation. Led by Lionel Lacroix, a member of the Algonquin First Nation and Quebec Certified Trapper Instructor from Fort Coulonge, QC, the workshop took place in the district of Tsi Snaihne and the southern portion of the territory of Akwesasne during the weeks of April 4-8 and April 11-15, 2011.

The first week of the workshop covered the different areas of trapping including trapping techniques, trapping equipment, trap maintenance, biology of fur bearing animals, and first aid. An important aspect of the course was not whether we can harvest furbearing animals. Instead the focus was how to adequately harvest these animals with respect, while ensuring the survival of the species.

The workshop material presented was geared toward a range of first-time trappers, wildlife workers, and experienced trappers alike. A major point was how to use the most humane trapping methods available, giving people the opportunity to improve their skills and share their knowledge. Elders also attended the workshop to share their knowledge about our traditional uses of fur bearing animals and how to cook the meat.

The second week of the workshop was hands-on activities with the participants setting traps in hopes of catching beaver, muskrat or otter. The sites, chosen by local trapper Gary Gray, were known to have an abundance of beaver and muskrat. The animals captured were used to demonstrate to the participants how to skin and prepare the meat.

Participants of this workshop had the chance to skin a beaver, muskrat and otter, along with preparing castoreum from beavers for lures. The fieldwork gave participants experience on how to set the traps in a trapping area. The areas chosen were all over the territory of Akwesasne in various wetlands locations.

This workshop was developed because of community concern on the beaver overpopulation problem impacting the territory of Akwesasne. The concern expressed of beaver encroaching on properties and flooding lands sparked the effort of the MCA Environment Department to provide a few solutions. The workshop was also developed to encourage younger Akwesasronon to participate in some of our traditional ways of living off the land.

Future workshops are planned with no set dates as of yet. The MCA Environment Department will keep all interested Akwesasronon posted on up-coming workshops. Participants of the workshop send a nia:wenkowa to Bob Stevenson, Lionel Lacroix, Gary Gray, Elizabeth Nanticoke, Sesi Mitchell, and Chief Joe Lazore for making this workshop possible, sharing their knowledge and use of the facilities.