Winter Carnival is here!

The days are getting longer, and while it’s been a cold winter this year, the time to celebrate the season and community has arrived with the Winter Carnival, kicking off Monday.

Alongside other carnival staples, a community favourite event will return thanks to colder temperatures holding steady - ice fishing.

“It was extremely frustrating, but I really wanted to bring it back this year,” said Jadyn Lauder, the Kanesatake Health Center (KHC) child and youth program coordinator.

Ice fishing is one of the more popular events during the Winter Carnival. According to Lauder, usually around 50-100 people register.

Fishing cabins, supplies, and lunch are provided for all registered participants. The event will be happening February 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Centre de Peche Chez Robert. Participants must register by Feb. 11 by calling or texting 438-622-4179.

“It’s nice to bring back these activities because they’re very culturally relevant,” said Lauder.

Lauder has invited Kahnawa’kehró:non Brandon Rice to teach people how to set up lines and drill holes in the ice. Rice will also bring some fish to teach people how to properly filet them.

“It will be a lot of really cool learning opportunities,” said Lauder, who explained that Rice will also have a radar machine to show people underneath the ice and the riverbed.

Lauder explained that ice fishing offers a very different experience compared to regular fishing, with different fish species available and unique challenges created by the ice. She recalled how a snow squall even hit the event a few years ago.

“I am super determined to bring it back, promote it as much as we can, and just to encourage people to come out and spend a day with their family on the ice,” said Lauder.

The two weeks of the Winter Carnival offer a wide variety of events. Lauder said she is most excited for the glow-in-the dark volleyball on February 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ratihén:te High School gym and the Valentine’s Day dance on February 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School.

“It’s a lot of decorating and setting up, but I think we get the most reward out of it,” said Lauder.

“We also are really big on sporting events, so we make sure to include that for the competitive crowd out there,” said Lauder. The Winter Carnival will have events such as bubble soccer - a normal soccer match except each player’s upper body and head will be encased in a giant inflatable bubble.

Bubble soccer will be on February 11 at the Ratihén:te High School gym, with two time slots, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for ages 6-11, and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for ages 12 and up. Indoor shoes are required.

“Our community looks forward to these different and fun events every year, and we like to add in some new events and bring back some events that were done in the past,” said Lauder.

One of the new events this year is a smoke dance workshop. Lauder said she understands that participants won’t be able to fully learn the dance in just one session and hopes to turn the workshop into a regular event throughout the school year.

The smoke dance workshop will close the Winter Carnival on February 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Rotiwennakéhte Elementary School. Registration is required, but all dancing levels are welcome, and moccasins are encouraged.

“We are looking forward to our packed two-week schedule, and I think the community is too,” said Lauder. “We are looking to see our members come out with their families and enjoy themselves.”

[email protected]

Fern Marmont, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter