Documenting the Moose Festival at North Caribou Lake
Some photography assignments are more than just work—they’re privileges. Being invited to document the annual Moose Festival in North Caribou Lake was one of those rare, meaningful experiences that reminded me why I do what I do.
For three days, I had the honor of capturing a celebration that’s about so much more than hunting or eating. This festival is about cultural preservation, community connection, and passing down knowledge that has sustained generations.
What Is the Moose Festival?
The Moose Festival is an annual three-day celebration that takes place in North Caribou Lake every year. It’s a hunter’s festival at its core, but calling it just that doesn’t capture what it truly represents.
Here’s how it works: Experienced hunters from the community go out to catch moose. When they return with their harvest, something beautiful happens—the entire community comes together. They butcher the moose together, sharing knowledge and techniques. Then families prepare their signature dishes, from traditional preparations to creative takes like moose tacos, and everyone gathers to feast.
The best part? It’s completely free for the community to attend. While the hunters are compensated for their work, community members can visit different food stations, enjoy the celebration, participate in games and contests, and connect with neighbors and friends.
Why This Festival Matters
Beyond the surface-level celebration, the Moose Festival serves crucial purposes for the community:
Cultural Preservation: In a world that’s rapidly changing, events like this keep traditional practices alive. The techniques, knowledge, and values that have sustained the community for generations aren’t just remembered—they’re actively practiced and celebrated.
Educational Opportunities: Young people learn practical skills like how to hunt, how to prepare different cuts of meat, winter safety protocols, and how to respect the animal that provides for the community. This isn’t classroom learning—it’s hands-on, intergenerational knowledge transfer.
Community Building: For three days, the entire town comes together. Barriers dissolve. Stories are shared. Relationships are strengthened. In remote communities, events like this are the social fabric that holds everyone together.
Understanding Food: Participants learn to appreciate different preparations and uses for moose meat, understanding the versatility and value of traditional food sources.
My Role: Creating a Video and Capturing the Festival
I was invited to document the entire event—both through video production and photography. The school wanted content that could showcase what happens during the festival, potentially for educational purposes and to attract teachers willing to work in remote areas like North Caribou Lake.
But creating meaningful, respectful documentation of cultural events requires more than just showing up with a camera. Here’s what I learned about incorporating a photographer into cultural celebrations.
Four Essential Steps for Cultural Event Photography
1. Plan the Logistics Properly (Especially for Remote Locations)
North Caribou Lake isn’t a quick drive from Thunder Bay. For events in remote or out-of-town locations, proper planning is critical.
Questions to address early:
- How will the photographer get there? (vehicle, plane, boat?)
- What are the transportation costs?
- Is accommodation needed? Where will they stay?
- What’s the timeline for arrival and departure?
- Who covers these expenses, and how?
For this project, we had to factor in travel expenses, accommodation for multiple days, and equipment transport. These aren’t small details—they’re make-or-break logistics that need clear communication and planning before anyone commits to the project.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Remote locations require advance planning, especially if flights or special transportation are involved.
2. Clearly Define What You Want Captured
This step saved both the school and me from potential disappointment. Before the festival, we had detailed conversations about their goals.
For this project, they wanted footage that aligned with their school curriculum:
- How to trap
- Winter safety demonstrations
- Proper meat preparation techniques
- Community engagement and cultural practices
- Youth learning from elders
Because we identified these priorities beforehand, I knew exactly where to focus my lens. I wasn’t just randomly capturing festival moments—I was documenting specific educational content that could be used for curriculum support and teacher recruitment.
Ask specific questions:
- What’s the primary purpose of this documentation?
- Which moments are most important to capture?
- Are there specific people, activities, or teachings to prioritize?
- What will this content be used for after the event?
3. Understand the Project's True Purpose and Audience
Here’s where many photography projects go sideways: mismatched expectations about how the content will be used.
Some organizations want photographers to simply document their event for memory-keeping. Others, like the school in North Caribou Lake, wanted content for marketing and recruitment—to show prospective teachers what life and cultural education look like in their community.
These are fundamentally different goals that require different approaches.
For documentation, you might capture everything broadly. For marketing and recruitment, you’re looking for specific moments that tell a compelling story to a particular audience (in this case, educators considering remote teaching positions).
Before accepting any cultural event project, clarify:
- Who is the target audience for this content?
- How will it be used? (internal documentation, social media, recruitment, education, grants, etc.)
- What message should the photography convey?
- Are there any sensitivities around how the content can be shared?
When both the photographer and the client understand the purpose and audience, everyone ends up happy with the results.
4. Respect Cultural Boundaries and Protocols
This is perhaps the most important step, and it’s where humility and openness matter most.
I am not part of the culture I was documenting. I was a guest, invited to witness and capture sacred, meaningful traditions. That position comes with responsibilities.
Before the event, I asked:
- Are there any ceremonies, moments, or practices that should not be photographed?
- Are there areas where I should not bring my camera?
- Are there specific people who should not be photographed?
- What cultural protocols should I be aware of?
During the event, I remained open to correction. Even with the best intentions and preparation, I might misunderstand something or inadvertently cross a boundary. When community members offered guidance or gentle corrections, I listened, apologized if necessary, and adjusted immediately.
Cultural respect isn’t about perfection—it’s about:
- Asking questions
- Listening to answers
- Being humble about what you don’t know
- Accepting guidance gracefully
- Prioritizing the community’s comfort over your artistic vision
The Impact of Thoughtful Documentation
When cultural event photography is done right—with planning, purpose, and respect—the results are powerful.
The video and photos from the Moose Festival will help the school show prospective teachers what makes their community special. They’ll preserve moments that matter. They’ll potentially inspire other communities to celebrate their own traditions. And they’ll give young people a visual record of their culture being honored and practiced.
That’s worth far more than any perfectly composed shot.
Final Thoughts
Documenting the Moose Festival in North Caribou Lake was an honor I won’t forget. I left with 16 compelling images and video footage, but more importantly, I left with a deeper understanding of cultural photography’s responsibilities.
If you’re planning a cultural event and considering bringing in a photographer, or if you’re a photographer hoping to do this kind of work, remember: The camera is a tool for honoring, not extracting. When we approach cultural documentation with respect, clear communication, and genuine care for the communities we’re serving, everyone benefits.
The stories get told. The traditions get preserved. The community feels seen and valued.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
Are you organizing a cultural event and need thoughtful, respectful documentation? Let’s talk about how we can preserve your community’s story together.