Setting Rabbit Snares in the Arctic | Life Below Zero

Iriqtaq Hailstone: We grew up following our parents. My parents always took us along with them. So I have that mentality in my head that if I can't take my kid then don't go.

[peaceful music]

Chip Hailstone: He's a handsome little boy. So cute.

Chip Hailstone: Wow, you got green eyes, kid. My son's name is Sebastian Orion Hailstone. Orion is Orion the Hunter, so he's my little hunter. Yeah, he's totally got your chin. It's the baby's name. Huh, Sebastian. Sebastian.

I'm the auntie of 13. So I've had a lot of practice. Plus I helped grow up my younger sisters. Now I have a lot of help with my own son.

[cold music]

You gonna go ride with your mom and go snares for rabbit?

I'm going to get the rabbits for you.

Oh, you're going to go get rabbit for me?

Yes.

NARRATOR: Mary's daughter Rose and her son Sebastian are the latest additions to the growing Hailstone family. To provide her niece and nephew with furs to keep warm through winter, she will head out to set snares for rabbit pelts. The task will also pass on a native skill to her young son, Wade.

In our culture, usually when the women have a new baby, we try and make them their own outfits. The best material for our kind of conditions are the materials that are locally resourced. So we're just trying to get some rabbit skins together, and sew a few things for baby Orion.

Oh, look. You see all the tracks?

Wow.

Yeah, we'll get the Willows first, yeah? So as we keep going we'll be able to set traps. The rabbits are?

Yeah. Wait, where?

Wade just turned three years old, so you could only keep his attention for so long. He's a very active child.

Watch out, Mom. I thought I hit your head, Mom.

When we find something he's interested in, it's entertaining and fun to watch him because he's so involved.

There you go. Some more.

Oh, almost.

I remember being a little kid and following my dad out, checking traps and snares. You know, even though he's at a young age, just watching and listening to you, just being around you, they pick up and learn a lot. You explained things the best you can, and show him what's safe and what isn't.

OK, wait, I think we got enough Willows.

[grunts]

You're going to pile them up for me?

Yeah.

That way they're learning how to provide and learning the cycle of life and how things are done, and where food comes from.

Thank you.

OK, right there is fine. You could look in the backpack and grab the snare wire, please - and the tool that's in there with it.

Here, Mom?

Yup, I need that one. And where's the tool? I need the tool too.

This one?

Yup. Thank you.

Sun's dropping on us?

Yeah. The sun's trying to go down on us.

Oh. I taught my son something, and it just - it feels good. It feels good to be able to be that active and be able to do such things up here, and teach my son that nothing is ever too hard if you just set your mind to it.

We'll come back tomorrow and check our snares, OK?