January 30, 2023

Trapping is a cultural staple in the NWT and a recognized element of a diversified economy.

Together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR), ITI works to maintain the vital link that exists between livelihood and the land; and to ensure that NWT trappers continue to receive the best possible prices for their furs.

In January, ITI’s Fur Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Nathan Kogiak, along with ENR officers from Beaufort Delta, Sahtu and South Slave regions attended a fur valuation workshop at the Fur Harvesters Auction (FHA) house in North Bay, Ontario, the only remaining wild fur auction house left in North America. 

The workshop focused on training the GNWT officials to recognize fur quality, to properly prepare the required documentation for tracking furs from field to market, and to share best-practices with new trappers so that they can produce the highest possible grade of furs and casters in order to receive the Prime Fur Bonus once their pelt has sold at auction.

NWT trappers produce the best wild fur in the world. It is marketed by the Fur Harvesters Auction to fashion houses around the world under the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur (GMVF) brand increasing demand for GMVF fur and increasing the value of Indigenous harvested wild fur at auction.

Click here to learn more about the GNWT’s Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.

Kogiak’s experience with the GMVF program, and as a trapper himself, means he is well positioned to maintain a healthy relationship between fur producers and the Fur Harvesters Auction house.

In addition to bringing in the best quality of fur, it is important to know which pelts are likely to have the biggest impact in the current market. Check out the GMVF Fur Market Forecast for 2023.

If you are an NWT artisan you can go to Access the Hide and Fur Program page to find out more about purchasing NWT products.