Submitted by: Jim Tolles, MNO Credit River Métis Council
Jim Tolles completes a demonstration at
the Trapping 101 workshop.
The beautiful island lake conservation area of Credit Valley in Orangeville brought fantastic weather for a trapping workshop this past October. Jim Tolles, MNO Credit River Métis Council (CRMC) Traditional Knowledge Resource, facilitated a workshop for 10 people, which covered the basics of trapping. Throughout the session Tolles explained the different types of traps that exist, the places they can be used, and the various animals that can be caught.
The workshop was very hands-on thanks to Tolles’ incredibly interactive display complete with traps and furs. The display also included various resources that have allowed Tolles to get a trapping license and be able to continue his journey of trapping.
The workshop also included many perks such as a draw for a door prize, donated by local outdoors and sports store Dufferin Outdoor Supply. It was won by Angela Hartley. Participants were also able to stay warm by the fire and enjoyed a meal at the end of the workshop, provided by the CRMC. The workshop attracted a wide variety of participants including local citizens and MNO CRMC Councilor Jean-Marc Mahau.
CRMC members were pleased that the participants thoroughly enjoyed the event. “I just wanted to thank you for all of your hard work in coordinating the trapping workshop! Your organization skills are superb. We really appreciated the delicious pizza, coffee, hot chocolate and everything else you did to make us comfortable and so proud to be Métis,” said participant Paulette Sirianni. “I know you can say that this is just a part of your job, but people can truly tell when a job is done with lots of love and attention!”