Being Black in northern Sask. can be isolating. This teen finds strength in trapping
Mary Roberts hopes to one day become a fur fashion influencer
Winters in Saskatchewan are notoriously harsh. But for some, the crisp cool air in a northern forest is inspiring.
"Even the air is just way easier to breathe," Mary Roberts said. "You can just come out and just let your thoughts loose, and figure things out for yourself."
Mary Roberts, 16, has lived in northern Saskatchewan since she was two months old. She was born in Saskatoon, and has spent time in the Caribbean, where her father is from. But when her parents' marriage ended, her mom brought Mary and her brother back to Nipawin to be with family.
That family includes her aunt and uncle, Kerry and Janet Barks. Kerry is Métis. When he was a young child, Kerry was taught how to trap and clean pelts by an Indigenous elder. Now he's passed that knowledge down to his niece and nephew.
These days, Kerry runs the family fur trading business called K&J Northern Furstretchers. He said trapping and fur trading are becoming lost arts.
"It's going to be lost if our younger generation like Mary and other people don't pick it up," Kerry said. "It's our Canadian heritage, you know. It's my heritage. I'm proud to be a trapper."
The kids' mother, Joyce Roberts, said trapping makes for an exciting life that teaches important skills beyond hunting and processing fur.
"So much in that skill is teaching patience, teaching it's OK to be peaceful. It's OK to be quiet," Joyce said. "I know at times with Mary, she often needed that growing up."
Trapping is also not for the faint of heart. Mary's brother JJ Roberts said people need to be brave out there in the forests, where they could potentially come face to face with wolves, bears or other dangerous animals.
Mary is not deterred.
"My brother, he's way stronger than me. Also, he's taller than me," Mary said.
"But like … just because the guy's stronger doesn't mean you can't go out and do it, too. Like, I would love to smack down a moose before I turn 18."
Mary has faced other challenges growing up in northern Saskatchewan. She is one of the only Black people in her community. It's been tough at times.
"There's a lot of stigma with Black fathers, and I don't have one in my life," Mary said. "My mom has got a lot of comments being like, 'Did you adopt them? Are those your grandkids?'
"I've come across mixed people, and I assume right away that their parents are their parents. I've had people ask, like, 'What kind of Black are you?' You know, 'What are you?' There's always someone making a weird comment."
Mary said those negative comments do hurt her feelings, but that trapping has helped her cope by giving her the confidence to share her knowledge with others and inspired her to bring positivity into the world.
Mary and her uncle Kerry often go to local schools to teach others how to trap, process fur and make clothing. She said there's a lot more she wants to learn, too.
"I have cousins that are First Nation and Métis. I definitely admire how the Indigenous people run things and how they use everything, like even the beadwork," she said. "Like, teach me your ways."
K&J Furstretchers has a Facebook page where they often post behind the scenes videos of the family working together or showing off their wares.
Mary eventually hopes to become a fur fashion influencer. She said it's not about money and fame. She wants to put smiles on people's faces.
"Like, fur mitts, I wear them because they're warm. I wear them because, well, they're beautiful," she said.
"They're something that shows how many generations have gone by wearing fur mitts. And I think that should be the main focus. Not who has the prettiest fur mitts. How proud are you wearing them?"
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With files from Jenalene Antony