A pilot project that assists trappers with extra money to go trapping has been very successful and will hopefully be used throughout the NAN region.
“The program was very successful.
We got a lot of people interested to go out (to their traplines),” said John Turner of Moose Factory, who initiated the project in October.
The pilot project is the first of its kind in the Mushkegowuk region. A total of 52 trappers were assisted with money from the Ontario Ministry of Social Services in two communities, Moose Factory and Kashechewan. Each participant received $750 for supplies and travel expenses to their traplines.
The money is a subsidy for trappers on welfare and receiving old age pension. The project is similar to the Income Security Program that the Quebec Crees receive under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
“The next step is an evaluation,” said Turner, a consultant on harvesting issues. “The participants will be asked and the project evaluated on how it helped them and what they’d like to see. The planning will come from trappers.” At the recent NAN Harvesters’ Conference in Sioux Lookout, people called for the program to be made available to all area trappers, said Brian Davey, Deputy Grand Chief.
“They could see it all over NAN territory,” he said.
