A story about how I became an accidental trapper.
When my husband and I first began dating, I had zero understanding of what being a trapper meant. I knew they'd go out on the land and check traps, bring home any fur that was caught and process it. That's about all I knew. I had no idea that he was legally required to check his traps every single weekend during the season. I didn't realize that being at the cabin for 1-2 nights every weekend was the most restorative place for him to be. I was completely unaware of how much work was involved in managing time to thaw the animals and process the hides. I was wholly unprepared for how much preparation and planning went into every weekend's trip (groceries, safety gear, tools, etc.)
What I just described to you would consume an entire week outside of George's full time job. So when I suggested having friends for dinner on the weekend or going out midweek or on Friday for drinks or whatever, I just couldn't wrap my head around why the answer was always no. At first I took it hard. I think I was taking it personally because I just didn't have the scope of understanding that would soon come.
Once my jewelry business began in earnest and I was using all of the furs that George had caught in previous years, I was getting questions from customers about how the furs were trapped and handled that I couldn't answer. I asked if I could come out one weekend to see what this trapping stuff was all about.
What I expected: doubling on the snowmobile and watching and listening... maybe taking a few pictures then back to the cabin for a nap and then food.
What actually happened: On and off the snowmobile LOTS, switching my nice beaver mitts for work gloves over and over to stay warm and then handle bait while George adjusted trap sites. Getting out various tools, climbing through hip-deep snow to get them to George then back to the snowmobile to put things away. If there were animals to collect, more hoofing it through the snow to collect the animal and back to the snowmobile to put it into its respective storage bag which was tucked away under tarps held in place by a network of bungee cords. Remember, this is in the middle of winter so anywhere between -10 to -20c or colder. And that's just the highlights.
I quickly realized that the trappers who were harvesting the furs I was using in my work were doing an enormous amount of work and taking safety risks that weren't seen in the end product. I knew I had a responsibility to learn as much as I could so that I could impart that information to my customers. In this modern age of consumerism, many of us are SO far removed from the source of the goods we consume and I wanted to do everything I could to learn and experience what I could with the hope of being able to educate as many folks as possible about what happens out there on the trapline. Ideally, this could open the door for people to adjust their relationship to the goods they consume and prompt them to consider who planted the seeds, made the fabric. sewed the garment, printed the book, cooked the food.
In my experience, as a jewelry designer specializing in the creation of statement earrings, the number of conversations that have allowed me to share a bit about the origin of the materials makes me so appreciative of everything I've learned both on the trapline and in working with trappers in town. Each one has a different relationship with their practice, the land, and the animals but each one loves their practice, the land and the animals. For me, having some insight to speak with a degree of authority on how we harvest, it allows me to share with others in a way that hopefully conveys the sacredness and beauty of where we work and for the majesty of the animals that give themselves so we can adorn ourselves with their beautiful furs.
When I'm asked about individual animals, I can share from my own first hand experiences with the land and the animals. I can imbue each pair of statement earrings with the depth of meaning and the beauty of each animal and what they represent to me that it has really and truly opened some minds. I think there's a lot to be learned by cultivating a real connection with the origin of the items we consume. Even if we just take a moment and simply ask ourselves if we understand the true source of things, regardless of our ability to quickly find an answer. I think that just acknowledging our disconnectedness opens us up to the connection we're lacking. You know what they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.
Shortly after I began accompanying George on his trapline, I took the trappers course put on by our Department of Environment. For anyone who's curious, you can find it seasonally but it does book up super fast. You can find the info HERE. In case you're wondering, I got 98% but it would have been a hundred if the instructor's illustration skills were a little more accurate. I was George's full time assistant for two winters but the business had grown enough that I couldn't be away that often due to my production demands. I love being out there but I do find the preparation and occasionally the nighttime snowstorm travelling too stressful. It is magically beautiful though, no matter what time of year.
I'm so glad that the business has grown such that we now buy furs from more than ten different trapping families. It's so exciting to see how far this has come and to know just how much farther it will go. Who knew that making statement jewelry from Wild Yukon Fur could be so impactful for so many. I sometimes can't believe that this is my actual life. How lucky am I?