Rose Roberts: Life on the trapline

Summary

Dr. Rose Roberts, a Woodland Cree trapper from Stanley Mission, reflects on her life growing up in the bush and the deep connection her people have to the land. With her scientific background and traditional knowledge, she observes the impacts of climate change on her trapline, from fluctuating water levels to ice delays. The shifting seasons and unpredictable environment are affecting trapping livelihoods and wildlife, such as rabbits changing color too early. Dr. Roberts warns that while Earth endures, humans are at risk due to their disregard for nature, prioritizing convenience and economic growth over environmental balance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Rose Roberts is from Stanley Mission and grew up in the Bush, where she learned to swim before walking.
• 😀 Her family's traditional trapline, Hickson Maribelli, has been passed down for generations and is located 50 air miles north of Missinipe.
• 😀 The Woodland Cree cultural group, to which Dr. Roberts belongs, has been traveling to trapping areas for hundreds of years.
• 😀 Growing up in the Bush taught Dr. Roberts valuable observation skills, which help her understand the changes occurring in the environment.
• 😀 Traditional knowledge passed down by elders plays a crucial role in understanding environmental changes and climate impact.
• 😀 Trappers, like Dr. Roberts' family, are often the first to witness the effects of climate change due to their close connection to the land.
• 😀 The trapline is now accessible later in the year due to the delay in ice formation, with human lives at risk due to the changing conditions.
• 😀 Dr. Roberts, with a PhD and a science background, notes the unpredictable fluctuations in water levels, which her mother has never seen in her 55 years on the trapline.
• 😀 The changing water cycles, along with delayed freezing and thawing, are negatively impacting trapping and livelihoods.
• 😀 The instinctual behavior of rabbits, such as changing color for camouflage, is now putting them at risk due to the lack of snow.
• 😀 Dr. Roberts emphasizes the importance of valuing the Earth over material pursuits, warning that human beings, not the Earth, are at risk from climate change and environmental degradation.

Q & A

What is the significance of Dr. Rose Roberts' upbringing in the Bush?

Dr. Rose Roberts grew up in the Bush, learning important survival skills and traditional knowledge from a young age. This upbringing in a remote environment taught her to observe and understand the land, animals, and natural cycles, which have been vital in her work and cultural identity as a Woodland Cree.

How does Dr. Rose Roberts describe her traditional trapline?

Dr. Rose Roberts' traditional trapline, Hickson Maribelli, is located 50 air miles north of Missinipe. It has been in her family for generations, spanning hundreds of years, and remains a significant part of her lifestyle and cultural practices as a Woodland Cree.

What role do elders play in passing down traditional knowledge in Dr. Roberts' community?

Elders in Dr. Roberts' community play a crucial role in passing down traditional knowledge through years of observation and experience. They share insights about the land, animals, and environmental changes, helping younger generations understand how life used to be and how it has changed over time.

How do trappers, like Dr. Rose Roberts, perceive their role in the context of climate change?

Trappers, according to Dr. Roberts, see themselves as the first and last line of defense against the effects of climate change. Because they spend so much time on the land, their close relationship with nature allows them to notice changes early, such as shifting ice conditions and fluctuating water levels.

What changes in ice conditions have Dr. Roberts and her community observed in recent years?

In recent years, Dr. Roberts has observed that it takes longer for the ice to form in the winter, sometimes delaying their ability to access the trapline until late November or early December. The ice's delayed formation and the increased fluctuation in water levels have created challenges for their traditional practices.

How have water levels changed over the years, and how has this affected Dr. Roberts' community?

Dr. Roberts notes that water levels now fluctuate by up to two or three feet annually, a shift her mother, who has spent over 50 years on the trapline, has never witnessed before. This instability in water levels complicates their ability to plan for trapping and harvesting, affecting their livelihood.

What specific challenges have the changes in climate posed to trapping for Dr. Roberts' community?

Changes in climate have shortened the prime trapping season. As the weather has warmed, the snow and ice arrive later in the year, and the fur quality of animals like rabbits has been affected, leading to a less predictable and less profitable trapping season.

What does Dr. Roberts mean when she says, 'Mother Earth isn't at risk; it's human beings that are at risk'?

Dr. Roberts is emphasizing that while the planet may eventually recover from human actions, it is humanity itself that faces the consequences of environmental degradation. She believes that human beings are putting themselves at risk by prioritizing convenience, materialism, and economic gain over the health of the environment.

How does Dr. Roberts view the relationship between people, animals, and the land?

Dr. Roberts highlights that modern society has increasingly prioritized materialism and the economy over the well-being of people, animals, and the land. She believes that this mindset is unsustainable and ultimately harmful to both humanity and the environment.

What is Dr. Roberts' perspective on the role of education in addressing environmental issues?

Dr. Roberts sees education as a critical tool for raising awareness about environmental issues. She teaches her students that humanity must change its approach to environmental stewardship, as our actions have long-term consequences on the land and its ecosystems.