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“Fences. What do I have to say about fences?”, Catherine sings as she sits on a hillside, gently clicking what remains of a deer’s hind legs in a rhythmic pattern. “There’s not many in the north,” she continues, “perhaps around some small gardens more concerned with surviving a frost than their lack of liberty…” Just as the clickity clack of the bones begins to lull me, she realizes that she’s forgotten the next stanza.
This was my introduction to Catherine Thompson, a musician and performance artist who spends almost half of each year at Trails End Guest Ranch in the prairie land of south-central Saskatchewan, Canada. At the ranch, her duties involve natural horsemanship, cattle acclimation and hoof trimming.
The most striking thing about Catherine is how many of her daily activities are connected, and how so few people — at least in the modern civilizations that I’m familiar with — are living life so interconnectedly. The landscape informs the lifestyle she lives, the lifestyle informs the instruments she makes, the instruments inform the music she plays, and the music she plays tells the story of all these things together in harmony.
As a musician, Catherine recalls that she began studying guitar in her early teens, and later Gaelic flute. She attempted building her first violin at age 17. While she never completed that particular piece, she has been making instruments ever since. Over the last seven years she’s focused her instrument making on natural materials and primitive instrument design. In addition to making instruments, Catherine writes and performs her music with dance and theater in Toronto and at the Banff Centre, where she usually spends her off-season winter months.
In the video, Catherine plays three instruments of her own making: her flutes, an igli — a two-string bowed instrument — and a cora. The cora is a traditional African instrument with a body made of a hide-covered gourd, a neck made of wood, and tuning wraps made from leather. She has made several, two of which are available in her shop. The string is made from fishing line, which Catherine earnestly jokes is “the thread connecting it to modern civilization.”
Catherine staking a hide in the prairie via her blog
With a serene sensibility that is much like holism, Catherine can often be found smoking deer or buffalo hide near the tent that she sleeps in during the summer months. She utilizes every bone and sinew of the animals she encounters and does so with the utmost respect.
Smoking a hide over a smoldering coffee can fire
Fascinated with cultures of oral tradition, storytelling, and myth-making, Catherine’s beliefs inform every aspect of her being. She parallels the narrative arc of her life with that of a character she calls Skuld, who represents a model of mankind predating civilization. The concept behind Skuld is:
“To search for a deep and sure connection with the natural world through the motivations and perceptions of the mythical character/being Skuld; of mythic imagining and re-vision-ing. Skuld and her kind have been amongst us humans for all remembered time. In the earliest days when all spoke as one — the animals the humans the trees the earth — their presence was known. As time wove on and the humans decided that they were different and of primary importance, that all the Earth was made for them, when they forgot the language of all, Skuld and her sisters found themselves forgotten and yet still pulled along with the myths of the people to their great distress. The Skuld Project is about the search and struggle to find the state where all spoke as one, when all were as one. To resist the destruction of the wild.”
Via Catherine’s website
From what I can gather, her long term goal is to walk away from modern civilization with her horse Dakoa and attempt to survive in the dominion of the wild. Not forever, but for a time. To do this, she is learning to hunt and trap animals for food and to skin and use their hides for making leather the way people of our ancestry did. Although Catherine lives very clearly in the moment, she is always preparing for what she affectionately calls her “trip.” Such a journey takes considerable preparation and dedication to survive. As a traveler, Catherine has a long road ahead.
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82 comments
Sign in to add your ownVeraVague says:
lovely.
1 year ago
bylynnkrestel says:
wow - what a beautiful story! thanks for sharing!!
1 year ago
choisette says:
i genuinely admire catherine's commitment to the rustic lifestyle, but i personally need access to at least one shoe store within a five mile radius of my hotel-- i mean, campsite. sorry, i'm spoiled.
1 year ago
scarletbegonia11 says:
wow! what a beautiful story!
1 year ago
strawberryluna says:
What a beautiful landscape & story...
1 year ago
Aimeshad says:
Wow, Catherine, thank you for sharing and spreading knowledge and great lifestyle ideas. What big, open, gorgeous country, ~ so worthy of our stewerdship, respect, and gratitude. Thank you!
1 year ago
VivaGailBeads says:
wonderful and incredible story, thank you.
1 year ago
natureaccessories says:
great along with the music :):)
1 year ago
heatherberry says:
Lovely! Beautiful photography as well!
1 year ago
6catsVintage says:
Catherine is definately taking a path few travel. Interesting.
1 year ago
mtraub says:
I felt completely transported while watching this.
1 year ago
LeafandInk says:
mmmmm...beautiful! I love how Catherine is living her dream & also the fact that choisette is brave enough to admit it isn't hers :+) Lisa LeafandInk
1 year ago
litapsilverj says:
Catherine - Much luck to you as you continue your journey. You are truly an inspiration!
1 year ago
Beesnetta says:
Stunning!
1 year ago
Mclovebuddy says:
amazing.
1 year ago
ourfrontyard says:
Fantastic Story! The best of luck to you Catherine, you are an inspiration.
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
Fascinating exploration into what it would feel like to live in another time/era!
1 year ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Beautiful!!!
1 year ago
ellainaboutique says:
Oh, I cried a little, the music and the pictures make me so homesick. I grew up on the border of ND and Saskatchewan and I truly admire your commitment to live off the land there - no small feat at all! I wish you continued success on your journey :)
1 year ago
seacucumbermama says:
Wow. Beautiful. Amazing.
1 year ago
simplyworn says:
wow...beautiful piece
1 year ago
rozzie says:
Very special!
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
AMAZING!
1 year ago
myvintagecrush says:
Amazing. Just amazing. Thank you! :)
1 year ago
DalkullanJewelry says:
That would a wonderful adventure, living in the wild with your horse Dakoa. Hope you make your dream a reality Catherine.
1 year ago
TchotchkesByHolly says:
sounds like the sky and prairies. I think the drum would be the maritime. With the beat of the sea and stone.
1 year ago
odiliafu says:
Just beautiful!
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Amazing ! Formidable ! Thanks !
1 year ago
snlcreations says:
Truly awesome and amazing! My heart goes out to you!
1 year ago
nikhajewelry says:
Cool story, and so great to see my mother in law Chris' ranch in Canada again!
1 year ago
weirdwolf says:
Stunning music, scenery and handmade instruments. That kora playing blows me away... Lovely video!
1 year ago
RebeccaBarfoot says:
Thanks also for giving us a glimpse of a largely forgotten way of life- we forget who we are sometimes, and we forget how we are losing quiet in the world, and wilderness. This is a good reminder.
1 year ago
jadedgoats says:
This beautiful story reminds me of Derrick Jensen's book, "A Language Older Than Words," an account which creates a clear understanding that we are far more connected to the natural world and its creatures than to the mall and its rows of hollow offerings. Thanks so much, and carry on with grace, dignity, and Dakota.
1 year ago
lightbeams says:
Wonderful story, beautifully told. The artist/musician so reverantly transforming the deer bones into beautiful instruments and allowing their spirits to soar. The storyteller/videographer perfectly capturing the magnificance of the surroundings and weaving it into the artistry and the music seamlessly. Well done!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
I admire you and the path you have chosen. Your music and lifestyle is to be envied!
1 year ago
sockmonster says:
I want to go to there........
1 year ago
AZCreativeStudio says:
Great story!
1 year ago
lterrill9 says:
What a wonderful story and enchanting surroundings. One of the things I love most about Etsy is all of the wonderful people that you meet in many diifferent walks of life. Best wishes!
1 year ago
nectorgirl says:
:::love love love::: amazing ambition and story!
1 year ago
SundayTreasures says:
who just doesn't enjoy music? read your story 3 times!
1 year ago
SandBagsDesigns says:
Thanks for this beautiful post :)
1 year ago
moccasinsandmukluks says:
Thank you for sharing your story.
1 year ago
maggiemaevintage says:
what a beautiful spirit...much luck on your journey!
1 year ago
mudpuppy says:
Wow, what a fantastic way to live and reconnect with the world.
1 year ago
babybayrs says:
Amazed!
1 year ago
babybayrs says:
amazed!
1 year ago
BeaumontStudio says:
For natural handmade, hand-dyed hides check out pahanahides.etsy.com Another awesome source for naturally tanned hide with accents of antler bone!
1 year ago
redemptionart says:
Wonderful interview, as a Hawaiian woman, I feel so pulled towards the things of my ancestors, especially healing and arts, which do go hand in hand. Thank you for sharing your heart!
1 year ago
Tias says:
Blimey! This is what life should be like. I really admire her!
1 year ago
HandmadeHandsome says:
fascinating, thank you
1 year ago
shanidesign says:
Amazing story!
1 year ago
halfpintboling says:
Beautiful! Warms my spirit and refreshes my creative soul.
1 year ago
vaivanat says:
low bow from me...
1 year ago
WeeBindery says:
Wow! An incredible story which has transported me back in time!
1 year ago
amandalouise says:
WOW, that was beautiful. It's like some magic happens, and the soul of those animals is released into the world as music when the instruments are made.
1 year ago
AutumnLeavesJewelry says:
what a beautiful video to watch while having morning coffee, thank you!!!
1 year ago
joojoo says:
WOW!!! Amazing music! It really touched my soul...And what a gifted artist! Thanks a lot for sharing and creating such a wonderful video, I really enjoyed it first thing in the morning!!! :)
1 year ago
AmityUK says:
Wonderful, this took me to another place.
1 year ago
julessabjewelry says:
I love this music and would love to be in that serene state always!
1 year ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Fascinating story, loved the video her songs sound so kind of melancholic. Beautiful to see the rolling countryside.
1 year ago
akcopperraven says:
i love when people can transform the beauty of natures bounty into treasures for those of us that dont have access or knowledge of the how to to do so...lovely article !!
1 year ago
jammerjewelry says:
Crazy Cool!
1 year ago
TheLittleRagamuffin says:
Just breathtaking. There is no better feeling for me than connecting to the natural world. Thank you for this uplifting piece.
1 year ago
daniellexo says:
So beautiful.
1 year ago
AvianInspirations says:
this was lovely.
1 year ago
thenoisyplume says:
I love this write up about Catherine. She's kind of a female version of Grey Owl. Isn't she? Or at least she's moving in that direction. A true naturalist. Also, thanks for a healthy representation of hunting in North America. My husband and I subsist on what we harvest from the wild, here in Idaho, and every animal we take translates into a very holy experience for us. VERY good to see my homeland making the news -- I'm from Saskatchewan and the skies really ARE that beautiful. THANKS!
1 year ago
AudreyGardenLady says:
Gorgeous scenery and Cool article! Love the free spirited art and music!
1 year ago
trexandlamb says:
Wow this story really made my day! I've been facing a pretty rough patch in my life and stories like Catherine's are really uplifting as they are proof that there are other more important things in life, alternative ways to live, and being in sync with nature is still the way to go! Watching the video really made me rethink the ratrace many of us are stuck in and the materialistic life (I'm such a mallrat I admit!) we pursue, and now all I want to do is move to Canada as the nature there is amazing! =) Thanks for sharing your story Catherine you've really inspired me!
1 year ago
2TrickPony says:
purely wonderment. thanks for bringing us this awesome artist's story!
1 year ago
LianaCasanovaDesigns says:
Beautifully connected to nature and the elements.
1 year ago
HempWhatNot says:
Someday I hope to leave my some what lavished lifestlye to take up a more rustic day to day life.
1 year ago
ByronMorrisArt says:
What a great idea.
1 year ago
agatsijoias says:
Very interesting!! http://www.agatsijoias.etsy.com
1 year ago
studiorandom says:
Oh, this is awesome. :)
1 year ago
BijoDesigns says:
Amazing. Makes me want to get lost & get inspired!!
1 year ago
PaperPicker says:
really enjoyed the video.
1 year ago
ImagineStudio says:
I found this video exceptional...PBS Quality!!! I wound love to purchase this video...is this possible?
1 year ago
leapinggazelle says:
What an amazing story! Catherine, I love your beautifully haunting music and admire your connection and commitment to the natural world. Wonderfully told. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
1 year ago
objecked says:
@ImagineStudio: No need to purchase, if you are using iTunes, you can download the video directly to your computer. The subscribe link is mentioned right on this page under the video, but if you wish to find only this episode you can search for Etsy in the iTunes Podcast store. If you want more options feel free to convo me.
1 year ago
CatherineThompson says:
Thank you so much to you all with your wonderful comments! I am totally blown away by the response as I am with the video that Eric so beautifully made. I few have emailed me directly. I will try to get back to you as soon as I can. I am finding it difficult to keep up these days with email! all my best wishes. Catherine
1 year ago
chucklarge says:
so impressed!
1 year ago