Survival in the Bush is the theme at the Dufferin County Museum and Archives this weekend as the Traces Festival continues.

The Traces Festival celebrates the region's First Nations and early settlement history through rare artifacts, a show and sale of period art and accoutrements, performances and re-enactments.

A Courier de Bois display is featured, with a north canoe replica and campsite, and presentations on the Courier de Bois travel, lifestyles and commodities. There are also talks and activities on wild edible tea tasting, fire starting, primitive traps and snares, birch bark basket construction, medicinal plans, primitive food, dream catcher storytelling, tanning methods, and more. Also be sure to visit the Trading Post inside the museum to view and buy native beadwork, arts and crafts, leather goods, clothing, books and accoutrements.

Sat., Oct. 6 and Sun., Oct. 7 there are several workshops available. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there is a dream catcher workshop. Create energizing dream catchers using fresh willow, colourful beads, clear sinew and feathers. Cost is $10.

From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. kids can learn how to make pouches or bracelets. The 30-minute sessions have kids craft a traditional leather pouch or make a lovely leather friendship bracelet. Cost is $5.

An edible, useful, medicinal plants workshop is also being held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The on site tour teaches participants about the brilliant plants found in the region. Cost is $20.

Oct. 13 and 14 is the last weekend for the Traces Festival and it is also packed with historical workshops and events.

Pre-registration for workshops is required as a minimum number of participants are needed for each workshop. All workshops are at the Dufferin County Museum and Archives, located at Hwy. 89 and Airport Road. For details or to register, call 1-877-941-7787 or visit online at www.dufferinmuseum.com.