Every October the Wemotaci community holds a unique event that celebrates female strength, tradition and solidarity: the antler contest. Designed to encourage Atikamekw women to actively participate in moose hunting, this contest is much more than a simple competition. It is a genuine process of cultural reappropriation, intergenerational transmission, and celebration of women’s role in traditional practices. Participants also have the opportunity to win prizes such as a rifle, hunting apparel, and hunting knives.

Forest, antlers, and female hunters
Around 50 women from Wemotaci and Opitciwan form 25 teams that take turns hunting on even and odd dates. Men are involved as guides, but they are not allowed to shoot. This rule puts women at the heart of action, strengthening their autonomy and knowledge of the territory.
The antler contest has several key objectives:

• Increasing recognition of women’s role in hunting traditions
• Promoting the intergenerational transmission of knowledge
• Encouraging the learning of skills such as spotting, shooting, and moose calling

Returning to your roots, while looking to the future
Some participants choose traditional techniques to call in moose, while others use modern technological tools, such as mobile apps. This blend of innovation and heritage reflects the living evolution of ancestral practices.

Creating a space on the territory for sisterhood and sharing: Emotions, pride and collective strength
For many women, taking that first shot is a moment charged with emotion. Sharing this experience filled with laughter, tears, and solidarity creates an atmosphere of trust and mutual support, and an opportunity to enjoy spending time together in the bush. That’s what the contest is all about – women going into the bush, rediscovering ancestral practices from time immemorial, and forging a deep connection with the land. The land becomes a place of healing and of renewed strength.

Cultural and community success
Over the years, the antler contest has become a strong symbol of cultural renewal. It allows women to regain a historical place in a field often perceived as masculine, but where they have always played a role.