Koltan, 13, and Lincoln, 11, are brothers from the Chipppewas of Rama First Nation on Lake Couchiching in Southern Ontario. Their community is also known as Mnjikaning, which means “place of the fish fence.” Join Koltan and Lincoln as they spear pickerel on their territory.
TRADITIONAL HARVESTING
Early spring is the time to go spearfishing for pickerel. This year, Koltan and Lincoln are learning about traditional harvesting with their father, Tim. The fish spawn in shallow areas of lakes as the water temperature rises. A spawn happens when male fish fertilize the eggs of female fish with their milt (a fluid inside male fish).
Each season, Koltan, Lincoln, and their father harvest according to Anishinaabe traditions. These include spearfishing, wild rice harvesting, hunting, snaring (using a wire to catch small…
