La Ronge trapper's festival fun for all ages

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Competitors of all ages and skill levels had a chance to show off their trapper's skills, during the annual La Ronge Trapper's Festival, held March 12 to 15 on Far Reserve south of La Ronge. The festival, held at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, (JRMCC) kicked off on March 12 with a "fun night" with contests to test your skill in lying, crying, laughing, whistling, pie eating, egg rolling, mummy wrapping, spouse finding (you had to already BE a couple!) and egg racing. A family dance followed.

On March 13, Senator Myles Venne School held a youth trapper competition, and a hockey challenge between the Prince Albert Grand Council and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band was held at the Mel Hegland Uniplex arena. In the evening, there was a Red River jig competition, a buckskin parade and an English/Cree singing competition with awards for the top three male and female vocalist as well as special prizes for top performances of instrumental, rock, country and Cree songs.

On Friday, the JRMCC had craft tables set up, and events included an indoor poker rally, a square dancing competition and the first of the junior and senior king and queen trapper events.

Competitors for the title of king and queen trapper must demonstrate their skills in a number of events, including the buckskin parade, jigging, moose calling, goose calling, trap setting, leg wrestling, traditional portage, ice chiseling, tea boiling, bannock making, traditional snowshoe, log toss, log sawing, log chop, log saw split and pile, nail driving, and axe throwing.

Saturday featured a pancake breakfast, an Elders' social and games, another indoor poker rally and poker table, craft tables, a dart tournament, sled dog races and sprints, a co-ed broomball tournament, a jigging contest, a "trappers' ball" and the remainder of the trapper events and award presentations.

This year, Norman McKenzie of La Ronge came in first in the Senior King Trapper competition, with Richard Charles of Stanley Mission coming in second, Abel Crane of The Pas, Man., placing third, and Derwin McKenzie of Cumberland House finishing in fourth place.

In the Senior Queen Trapper competition, Carla Buck of The Pas claimed top spot, with Clarissa Burns, also of The Pas, placing second. Third place went to La Ronge's Christine Ravenis, while Sophie McKenzie of Grandmother's Bay placed fourth.

In Junior King Trapper competition, Jessie McLeod of Brabant Lake placed first, Junior McKenzie of Grandmother's Bay took second, and Phillip McKenzie, also from Grandmother's Bay, took third place.

Flora Hardlotte of Brabant Lake placed first in the Junior Queen Trapper competition, with Jeannie Charles of La Ronge taking second place, and Lydia McKenzie of Grandmother's Bay taking third place.

Prizes were also awarded for the King of Kings, the top trapper contestants in the festival circuit. Derwin McKenzie of Cumberland House placed first overall, with Richard Charles of Stanley Mission finishing in second place.

The Franklin Carriere Most Sportsmanlike Trapper Award, which honors veteran "King Trapper" competitor Franklin Carriere (who competed again this year), was also handed out at the festival. The winner for this award is chosen by the competitors. This year the award went to Christine Ravenis of La Ronge.