Traditional Land Map

Traditional Land Videos

Traditional Land Use Camp Video7.7 mb | read transcript

Site Visits Video16.9 mb | read transcript

Transcript for Site Visits video

The video starts by introducing the location of the site visit which is John McDonald's cabin at McDonald Flats which is located within the boundaries of Susa Creek Cooperative.

The video pans across McDonald Flats and show the Green Team students entering a treed area where the cabin is located.

The cabin is shown. It has not been in use for many years. The roof has fallen in and the doors and windows are no longer there. There are plants and small trees growing from the interior floor of the cabin.

A community elder is in the cabin and is providing some information to the Green Team students about the cabin and its owner. The cabin was probably built in 1965. The owner was John McDonald and the family would have used horses to travel to and from home.

The area would have first been settled sometime before 1900. The elder's grandfather had a cabin a short distance from this cabin. This cabin was probably last used as a permanent home in the early 1970's.

When the cabins were built mud was used for filling the space between the logs to keep the cold out. A variety of materials would have been used on the interior walls for insulation as well including cardboard.

The video also shows Malcolm Moberly's cabin at McDonald Flats.

The video pans across the area and youth are standing near the location of the cabin. The elder's voice is heard telling the youth that the people who lived here supported themselves with trapping and hunting.

The video shows the cabin. The door is missing but the roof and walls are still intact. The elder indicates that this cabin was probably last used in 1974. The trees have grown up all around the cabin.

The cabin was built to house Malcolm's family. This was their winter location.

The video shows the interior of the cabin that contains odd items left behind after the family moved to a location closer to the Town of Grande Cache. The cabin contains wire bed frames, old cans, and storage boxes.

After the families moved from McDonald Flats the cabins were used as trap line cabins. These cabins are on Johnny McDonald's trapline.

Malcolm Moberly had a trapline in the Sheep Creek area. They had seven children.

The video pans out to show the beautiful view from the cabins. The surrounding landscape is a lush green in the peak of summer.

The family had free ranging horses in the area.

Bill McDonald also lived in the area from 1965 until about 1974. He has previously lived in Muskeg and Lone Teepee Creek. We've been to Lone Teepee Creek to find the cabin but we couldn't find it because a CAT, hired by an oil company had pushed it away. It was probably pushed away in the 1960's. There were a number of oil companies in the area.

There were five families living in this area at that time: Eddie Joachim, Louis Joachim, Johnny McDonald, Malcolm Moberly and Joe McDonald.

Around the time of the Riel Rebellion and the Frog Lake massacre, when the native people were fighting the "red coats", many native people changed their names for fear they may be persecuted and sent to jail.

At the place where the Michel Band signed Treaty, many community members sold their Treaty rights and claimed to be Métis in order to obtain the script and sell it for money. That is why some people are considered Métis now. They probably didn't really understand; they thought that the $5 they received for their script would purchase a lot of supplies.

The camera pans across the land that can be seen from McDonald Flats. The community of Susa Creek is visible as is Highway 40 leading to Grande Cache.

Traditional Land Use Camp Video

The AWN traditional land use camps bring together industry and government with AWN members in a traditional backcountry camp. In this, our natural setting, we find it is easier to explain our concerns regarding development and its adverse impacts. Over the years, the camp has been held in rock Lake Provincial Park, Wilmore Wilderness Park, McDonald Flats, Hide-A-Way Camp (in partnership with the Town of Grande Cache), and Coulters Lease. The scenery is always breathtaking in the Rocky Mountain foothills.

We are able to share our values and relationship with the land; participants become truly aware of what traditional knowledge is. They see the expertise of thousands of years of living off the land, passed down from generation to generation, in the skill and knowledge of the traditional hosts. They see that traditional use of the land still prevails in our community in food, spirituality, clothing, medicine and lodging. Things that define our culture are shared: drumming, singing, hunting, camping, gathering, making traditional clothing and food, understanding weather patterns, identifying animal signs and historical sites, our language and our spirituality. All these define our relationship with the land and form our identity as a People. We are the Rocky Mountain People.

The background music is provided by the James Gang, a group of local aboriginal men who drum and sing traditional round dance songs. The songs and drumming style have been passed down for generations.

Participants at the camp are instructed by local Elders on how to make a traditional native hand drum. Since the camps are held during the summer months, participants are able to work out of doors on their drums.

Camp participants can also choose to make traditional native moccasins. AWN purchases beaded moccasin tops year round from community members in preparation of these summer moccasin making lessons. The moccasin tops are made of deer, elk or moose hide and are beaded in traditional patterns or designs of the Rocky Mountain People. Camp participants choosing to make moccasins choose a design they like, have their feet traced and elders cut the moose hide to make moccasins. The participants are instructed on how to sew the moccasins together to make a beautiful and durable pair of shoes. They are usually surprised at how difficult it is to sew a pair of moccasins after watching our Elders sew quickly and evenly! Many request thimbles after a few stitches. Sinew and Glover needles are used.

While participants are making their crafts, there is time to visit with Elders and learn more about our culture and history. Our elders enjoy sharing or "teaching" about our people and our traditions. They also enjoy a good joke!

Like any camp, food is an important part of the experience. Camp participants enjoy fresh made bannock and wild game meals prepared by community members.

There is time for participants to relax and enjoy their time out of the office. A variety of entertainment is provided ranging from traditional dancing and singing to visits to historical sites.

The AWN President always hosts a talking circle to discuss current issues facing the community and our progress.

Most camp participants leave with a deeper understanding of our people, our history, our challenges, our hopes and our dreams. This not only has lead to better working relationships but lifelong friendships spanning the entire province.