Current Press Releases

Mr. Speaker, the Aboriginal people of our Territory have a long proud history of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The transfer of life skills relating to this proud history ensures that these values are sustained – and important social and cultural links are maintained to the land and its resources.

In the Northwest Territories, these traditional and cultural skills are recognized and supported by our Government as the foundation of our traditional economy – which serves to advance the diversification and sustainability of local economies as identified in our goal to provide all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

As a Government, we actively support the harvesting and marketing of wild fur as a fundamental component of our modern economy. I was happy to note that Northwest Territories trappers were, again, the top performers at the Fur Harvesters Auction sale last month. In addition, Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs from the NWT outsold all others. Our furs provided the largest single section of marten or Canadian Sable, offering 12,790 pelts, generating an average price of $62.00 with a highest sales price of the auction of $187.00. Production of marten has increased by 31%. The principle buyers were Hong Kong/China, Russia, Greece and Italy.

These positive results, Mr. Speaker, are a reflection of many years of promotion, support and training facilitated by our government through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program.

This year, we have 728 people delivering fur to this program, which represents a 16% increase in participants overall. Something that bodes well for our Government's strategic priority to pursue growth and diversification in the Northwest Territories economy – but more importantly in the preservation of the traditional economy and specifically our trapping industry in the North.

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Industry Tourism and Investment are also investing in the preservation of another traditional life skill: the construction of birch bark canoes. This skill is one that has existed in the Dehcho for thousands of years. However, with the passing of elders and harvesters experienced in the art of making canoes, it is a traditional life skill that we risk losing.

Beginning June 3rd, the Liidii Kue First Nation is sponsoring a project in Fort Simpson that will see a number of youth learn this rare time honoured and valuable traditional art. Over the ten day course, young students will learn how to gather material from the bush, carve the ribs and frame of the canoe, cover the frame with birch bark, and finally to seal the birch bark with spruce sap and gum to make it water tight.

We anticipate that the proposed June 12th completion date of the canoe will coincide with Treaty Day celebrations in Fort Simpson. The young people participating in this program will then present the finished canoe to the community as part of the celebrations.

Mr. Speaker, this initiative in Fort Simpson is one of many traditional life skills projects provided annually for school age youth under the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment’s Take a Kid Trapping Program. Since 2002, over 5000 youth have participated in different components of the program. Last year alone 1,450 young people participated in the program. The program’s success is due in large part to the strong partnership that exists between the Departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Municipal and Community Affairs, Environment and Natural Resources, and Education, Culture, and Employment, and the talents and skills of the many local residents and elders who support the program in various communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.