Trapper's Festival, The Pas, Manitoba

Tansi and Hello,
Welcome to the 2008 Northern Manitoba Trapper's Festival here in The Pas/OCN/RM of Kelsey. My name is Crystal Constant from Opaskwayak Cree Nation. I had the privilege of competing in the Queen Trapper Event in 2007 and won the title. It sure is a great feeling and one I'll surely cherish. This has been one goal that I have set for myself over the years, and achieved. The event is a test of spirit, determination, and involves the skills of the traditional trapping lifestyle. I encourage all female competitors to come out and participate in the Queen Trapper and Junior Queen Trapper Competitions. The camaraderie and mutual respect between the competitors is fantastic. This winter I will have trained with new and returning competitors that keep the spirit of the event alive. If you've ever thought of participating in this event "now is the time to do it!" "To set your own goal." "You'll never know until you try right?" "Right!!" Challenge yourself and follow the Trappers' theme of "Participate in 2008".

I would also like to acknowledge all the sponsors who continue to support this event and the Board of Directors for all their hard work.

tapwe kiche and Thank you,

Note: In the event of a total points tie, winner will be decided based on number of first place finishes.

Bib #	Competitor	Tea Boiling	Bannock Baking	Wood Sawing	Trap Setting	Ice Fishing	Pack Race	Snowshoe Race	Nail Driving	Log Throwing	Fish Filleting	Fish Frying	Leg Wrestling	Moose Calling	Goose Calling	Total
	Crystal Constant	40	10	10		40		20		20	40	40	40	20		280
	Diane Cook	20	20		40		20	40	30		30	30	30		20	280
	Clarissa Danielson	30		30	30		40	30		30	20	20	20		30	280
	Janice Steiner		30	40	10	20	10		20	40	10	10		40		230
	Carla Buck	10			20	10			40					30	40	150
	*Norma Cook			20		30	30									80
	*Andrea Constant		40					10						10		60
	Kristen Burns								10	10			10		10	40
	*Stephanie Massan															0

Winner of Queen Trapper sponsored by:

Carley Bearing & Auto ($300) plus trophy and 2 tickets from Calm Air

1st runner up sponsored by Otineka Development ($200) plus trophy

Leg Wrestling Dairy Queen

Wood Sawing: Wright's Tire Craft

Fish Frying: Food Town

Bannock Baking: Pyrgo's Pizza

4th place finishes receive $10.00

Points will be awarded as follows:

1st place: 40pts

2nd place: 30 pts

3rd place: 20 pts.

4th place: 10pts

The Queen Trapper competition is the counterpart of the King Trapper competition. It reminds us of the important role women had in the pioneering of the north. This event was introduced in 1977.

The contestants will compete in the great outdoors in a number of events which require skill, endurance and strategy. There are 14 events in total which will not only earn these trappers' points but a shot at becoming the 2007 Queen Trapper for the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival.

Spectators have an opportunity to watch the women put their speed and accuracy to use at events such as Log Sawing, Trap Setting, Nail Driving and the Portage. Skill only comes to mind as the women compete for top points in the Moose and Goose Calling competitions and their skills are definitely needed for the Bannock Baking, Tea Boiling, Fish Frying and Fish Filleting. Strength is key for events such as Log Throwing and Leg Wrestling. Lets not forget the strength and endurance needed for that 3-Mile Snowshoe Race which is a great crowd pleaser as each contestant battles through the snow to finish in 1st place! Last but not least on our agenda for events is the Ice Fishing competition. Is it luck or is it skill? Why don't you come and see for yourself!

Cash prizes are awarded in each event and the Queen Trapper title with trophy will be awarded to the contestant compiling the highest total points.

Hearty competition is the name of the game in any year of competition for the Queen Trappers'. Check out the schedule of events for time, location and competitions and think about entering as a contestant or for sure as a spectator.

Hello my name is Ashley Kryschuk and I will be your Director for the 2008 Queen Trapper’s events. Some of our veteran competitors might be familiar with me, but most of us will be meeting for the first time when you register for the events in The Pas. I look forward to working with everyone and seeing all of you compete during the 2008 Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival!

We will continue with the Rookie of the Year category for the sixth year running. If you are a first time participant you will be eligible for this award.

There have been some changes to the schedule of events as most of the competitions will take place this year in the parking lot located near Giant Tiger and behind Home Hardware.

Registration will take place at Festival Headquarters, in the Uptown Mall, on Wednesday February 13, 2008, between 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Registration fee is $25.00 and is payable at the time of registration.

All competitors are strongly encouraged to retain the 13-event minimum in order to qualify, or they risk losing their prize monies, standings and registration fee. All competitors will be provided with rules for the Queen Trapper Events upon registration. Please take a few moments to become familiar with the rules so as to avoid potential concerns/eliminations during competition.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Queen Trapper competition, please feel free to contact me by calling 204-623-2912 or email nmtf@mts.net

I look forward to seeing you all at the 60^th annual Northern Manitoba Trappers’ Festival!

· Make note of the Wednesday, Feb. 14/07 registration deadline and the new location of headquarters located in the Uptown Mall.

· Fish Frying will go back to traditional frying method. Cooking ingredients will be provided for competitors.

Competitors must provide own Axe, Hatchet, Suede Saw, Filleting Knife, Frying Pan, Utensils, Fishing Rod, Tackle and Snowshoes.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL CONTESTANTS MUST BE IN ATTENDANCE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2007 AT FESTIVAL HEADQUARTERS FOR THE RULE MEETING STARTING AT 6PM. ALL RULES WILL BE READ OVER TO CONTESTANTS AND ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE WILL BE ANSWERED. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

***Please note---All other copies of rules from previous years are null and void!***

Official 2008 Queen Trapper Rules and Regulations

1) Wood Sawing - One log will be cut and timed. Fastest time is the winner(s). Log must be a clean cut.

2) Log throw - The larger end of the log is the throwing end (Top). The measurement for this contest will be from the center of the starting line (painted orange) to the resting place of the unpainted end (the log has to flip), no matter how it gets there - rolls counts. Each contestant gets TWO throws. Longest measurement taken.

3) Trap Setting - The winner of this event will be the person who has set 6 or 8 traps provided in the shortest time. All contestants will be given the opportunity to set all traps once before the contest begins. Live sets only. This timed event.

4) Tea Boiling - Each contestant will be provided with matches and pail of snow (filled by officials). No paper will be allowed. At the start of the whistle, the contestants will run and pick up their wood and return to their pit or as otherwise directed. The first one that brings their pail to a rolling boil is the winner.

5) Bannock Baking -This is a judged event with a maximum of 45 minutes allowed. The lath will be numbered as the judges are not allowed to watch this event (3 judges). The contestants are provided with lath, cardboard, flour, salt, baking powder, lard, and water. Timing starts when everyone has their products and contestants cannot start until that time. Just what is supplied from Trappers Festival. No adding anything to bannock. Bannock will be disqualified.

6) 3-Mile Snowshoe Race -Each contestant will provide her own snowshoes. The snowshoes must be a minimum of 50 inches when the width and length are added together. Contestants are to look after their own snowshoe tie-downs if needed. The events are at 10am sharp. Contestants are to be at the snowshoe racing site by 9:30am. The mile and half turn around will be marked with laths and that where have to turn.

7) Ice Fishing -The contestants will provide their pre-drilled holes. Contestants provide their own hook, line, and bait. The winner will be the one that catches the most fish in one hour. In the event of a 3-way-tie, 1st place will be awarded to the contestant who the catches the first fish and same for 2nd and 3rd place. Species does not matter nor does size. Barbless hooks only.

8) Portage - Contestant will pack a specified amount of packages from one place to another in the least amount of time. Three 8 foot logs will be set up in an "I" position. Contestants will start at opposite ends of the packages (4 in total), run to the items, pick-up one item at time, run back across portage and "set" item in bin provided. Timed event. Losing balance on the portage will result in 5-second penalty. Dropping any items will result in a 5 second penalty and throwing or tossing into bins will result
in a 10 second penalty. Items must be placed in the bins.

9) Nail Driving -each contestant will be given (3) nails and hammer. Fastest time in the winner(s). Nail head must be completely flush with surface before timer is stopped. Bent nails will not be counted.

10) Fish Filleting -Contestants will be given 5 minutes to fillet/de-bone the fish. Contestants will be provided with 1 fish and 1 piece of cardboard. Judged upon quality of the fillet.

11) Fish Frying -Contestant will given 20 minutes to fry their fish fillets. Contestants will be provided with flour, oil, and salt. Fish will be judged on base of taste, texture and appearance. Two fillet to handed in for judging. Just what is supplied from Trappers Festival to be used. If anything else is used. The contestant will be disqualified.

12) Leg Wrestling Contestants draw Numbers to see who goes against who. Odd numbers wrestle even, odd man out gets the bye. Straight elimination.

13) Moose Calling-Each contestant draws for number to determine order the go up in, and will make two calls: cow and bull. Will not be known to the judges. Contestants will not be allowed to speak over the microphone. Anyone speaking over the microphone or giving his or her identity away in
any way will be disqualified.

14) Goose Calling-Each contestant will be numbered and will make two calls: alert and spring arrival. Will not be known to the judges. Contestants will not be able to speak over the microphone. Anyone speaking over the microphone or giving their identity away in any way will be disqualified
NOTE: The Moose and Goose Calling Competition will take place at the Preliminaries. Only the first place winners will appear at the Hi-Lites. Preliminaries are held on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. Queen Trapper contestants must be there at 6:15 p.m. to draw their numbers. Any contestant using foul language, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, interfering with equipment or with the judging or using own stopwatches or devices which may show unsportsman like conduct or jeopardizes the safety of other contestants will be suspended from the Festival competition at the direction of the Northern Manitoba Trappers' Festival Queen Chairperson. Every contestant must be at every event 10-15 minutes prior to starting time and have their equipment (Axe, Hatchet, Suede Saw, Filleting Knife, Frying
Pan, Utensils, Fishing Rod, Tackle and Snowshoes) by their side. Contestants are responsible for their own tools. Committee personnel will not be responsible for any safeguarding of tools.
NOTE: Further, the contestant must be present to receive her prize money at the Hi-Lites. Should one fail to attend, she will forfeit all her winnings.