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INUVIK
This year's trapper skills competition, and the Muskrat Jamboree itself, lacked one very important element: muskrats. This, however, did not stop seven pairs from showing off their survival skills in a harsh environment while racing against the clock.

Barb Kasook shields the strong wind from blowing out a match lit by her partner Jerry Rogers, in the trapper skills event on Monday afternoon. - Katherine Hudson/NNSL photo

Usually, trapper skills include chipping away layers of ice until the Mackenzie River's water is reached, then making a fire, tea and bannock.

The muskrat skinning contest is separate. Yet the lack of muskrat at the community feast and Monday afternoon's event was explained by the pushups being frozen. Muskrats open holes in the ice in order to climb out of the water to rest and feed. The pushups, located by trappers throughout much of the Delta, were frozen this year due to large amounts of snow as well as overflow on the lakes. According to organizers, having no muskrats at the Muskrat Jamboree has happened before.

There was still a crowd of more than 20 people gathered at the river to watch the competitors race against the elements to produce a quick, successful meal.

Larry Greenland, who needed medical attention for a cut hand during the competition, said the hardest part is chipping away at the ice with a spear.

"We had to chisel for two hours one time, just to hit water," he said.

Luckily, the ice was only about four feet thick and most competitors were able to get through it in about 10 minutes.

Next step was to collect branches and create a fire. Teamwork was a necessity – one partner shielded the wind as the other lit match after match to get the branches to light.

Sandra Ipana, Muskrat Jamboree committee member and judge of the competition, said lighting a fire is a real challenge with no paper or birch bark.

"Here, they have to start it with whatever is there and with the wind, it's kind of hard. You have to work as a team," she said.

Teamwork was key as women prepared the bannock while men made the fire and tended to the tea, boiling the water they took from the bottom of the ice. While chipping at the ice, the man and woman would take turns, to conserve their energy.

"In the past, it was for survival. You had to have teamwork. It's really hard to survive on your own. Teamwork is a big thing here," said Ipana.

In the end, Melba Mitchell and her son, Wayne, beat out the other competitors. Jerry Rogers and Barb Kasook came in second after they had to return to their fire to cook the bannock more when Ipana found dough in the centre.

The competition didn't stop there. The other pairs didn't rest until their bannock was made as well.

"Some of them that don't finish the game, they make bannock for the crowd and make tea. Good sportsmanship," said Ipana.

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