Missinipe

= = =** Missinipe Camp **=

by Derek Hyland
Our class was very priviledged to have had a generous donation from PIC Investments that allowed us to spend four days at Thompson's Camps in Missinipe, SK. Check out the map below: media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=missinipe,+sk&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Missinipe,+Division+No.+18,+Saskatchewan,+Canada&ll=55.606669,-104.712753&spn=0.186176,0.439453&t=p&z=11&iwloc=A&output=embed" height="422" width="563" align="center"

The week was amazing. We stayed at the Thompson's Cabin's site, where our accomodations were more like a house than a campsite. Complete with fridges, stoves, beds, living rooms, and a games room, we were well taken care of. Our days were spent with Cecil and Cameron, two First Nations Knowledge Keepers from Grandmother's Bay. In the mornings they taught us how to set nets for fish, drill the holes, connect the nets from one ice hole to the another using a jig system, and how to get the fish out of the nets. While we were setting up the jigs, it got lost under the ice and we spend 45 minutes looking for it. In the afternoons, they taught us how to set traps for beavers, as well as dry land traps for things like martens. A few of us even got to practice setting traps. We also learned how to fillet and debone the fish that we had caught in the mornings. Here's a photo of us pulling the fish out in the net:

We were very lucky that our transportation was donated by PIC Investments. We had a luxury bus from P.A. Northern. Our driver's name was Peter, and he was taking some time off from driving the Blades hockey team to hang out with us and drive us around for the week. It was great to be able to relax in the comfortable seats, use the in-bus bathroom, and watch movies while we were driving. I got to practice my skills as a radio announcer with the on-board microphone system.

On the last day of work with Cecil and Cameron, we took a little trip over to Grandmother's Bay reserve and were greeted by Leon Charles, who welcomed us and shared with us some information about the community. There are around 350 people living in Grandmother's Bay, and in the winter, they mostly use the winter roads and snowmobiles to travel. Everyone there was really nice and it was great to visit the home of Cecil and Cameron.

All in all, the trip was a wonderful experience for all of us. We learned so many things, and experienced some of the magic of Northern Saskatchewan. From fishing in Devil's Lake to walking on the ice along side of Otter Rapids, the trip was definitely one of the coolest things I've done. I am very grateful that I was allowed to be along for the adventure.