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OPPORTUNITIES NORTH: NWT fur sales balloon to $488,470 in 2024

Government of Nunavut payments to harvesters rise modestly to $142,958

NWT fur sales soared by 42.6 per cent to $488,470.27 in 2024 compared to $342,619.64 in 2023.

The number of pelts sold at auction in 2024 rocketed to 86 per cent in 2024 from just 40 per cent in 2023.

Sable was, by far, the most lucrative pelt for NWT harvesters. Those furs brought in $293,343.60, or 60 per cent of 2024's total. 

Wolverine also had a strong year at $58,522.20, muskrat attracted $42,297.45, timber wolf brought in $40,962.24, lynx fetched $22,664.40 and beaver spurred $11,201.52 in final bids. Every other type of fur from the NWT commanded less than $10,000 at auction.

At the March 2025 Fur Harvesters Auction in North Bay, Ont., where the bulk of NWT furs are sent, the South Slave surged into the lead regionally with sales of $105,315.15, overtaking the Beaufort Delta, the top region at the March 2024 auction.

The territorial government has set aside $605,000 for the Fur Price Program SA国际影视传媒 offering grants to trappers SA国际影视传媒 in 2025-26, matching the amount from last year.

According to the GNWT, more than 1,000 trappers access the Fur Marketing Service Revolving Fund, which provides interest-free advance payments for quality furs sent to southern auction houses. That fund has an estimated $668,000 left for 2025-26, up from $632,000 last year.

Nunavut has fuller year

In Nunavut, for the 2023-24 fiscal year, the territorial government made $142,958.05 worth of sealskin and furs advance payments to harvesters, an 8.1 per cent improvement on $132,243.50 in 2022-23. 

As usual, sealskin made up the majority of those payments, totalling $105,098.30.

For 2025-26, the Government of Nunavut has devoted $150,000 for the Seal and Fur Contribution Program, the same amount as last year. The Seal and Fur Grant Program gets $10,000 while $12,000 goes toward seal and fur advocacy, both also on par with 2024-25.

On May 30, Community Services Minister David Akeeagok heralded the official launch of Qisiapiit, the new brand identity for NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Dressed Sealskin Program.

Qisiapiit means SA国际影视传媒淏eautiful SkinsSA国际影视传媒 in Inuktitut. The program "reflects our respect for traditional practices and our governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 commitment to supporting NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 sealing sector," Akeeagok stated in the legislative assembly. "This branding initiative highlights the cultural and economic importance of sealing and ensures that locally-harvested sealskins remain available and accessible to Nunavummiut.

"The launch of Qisiapiit is a celebration of tradition, self-reliance, and pride," Akeeagok added. "You can have faith that our government understands the importance of Inuit practices and making sure tradition remains strong in a modern Nunavut. We are proud to offer Nunavummiut access to these beautiful, locally-sourced skins that carry with them the skill, knowledge, and cultural heritage of our people."

FACT FILE

NWT fur sales by region in 2024

South Slave SA国际影视传媒 $105,315.15     

Beaufort Delta SA国际影视传媒 $68,098.34 

North Slave SA国际影视传媒 $54,489.75     

Dehcho SA国际影视传媒 $31,328.73   

Sahtu SA国际影视传媒 $29,983.45     
_____________________

Total $289,215.42 

Source: Department of Environment and Climate Change

FACT FILE

Advance payments to harvesters through the Nunavut Fur Assessment and Advance Program in 2023-24

Sealskin SA国际影视传媒 $105,098.30

Prime white fox SA国际影视传媒 $14,730

Wolf SA国际影视传媒 $9,300.25

Polar Bear SA国际影视传媒 $8,000.00

Wolverine SA国际影视传媒 $4,439.50

Prime cross fox SA国际影视传媒 $640

Regular white fox SA国际影视传媒 $455

Regular cross fox SA国际影视传媒 $295
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Total: $142,958.05

Source: Department of Environment

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About the Author: Derek Neary

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