YELLOWKNIFE (October 2, 2014) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is increasing the price it pays for seal skins under its Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) Hide Procurement Program.

Beginning next season, the price paid to NWT harvesters per seal skin will climb from $55 to $70.

“We have a large number of talented artists in the NWT and through them there is significant demand for seal skins,” said Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) Minister David Ramsay. “The increase in the price paid to NWT harvesters is an effort to stimulate supply.”

Seal skins are used in the production of unique northern arts and crafts. When the market for sealskins was eliminated in 2009, so was the supply of sealskins for NWT artists. The Hide Procurement Program was established to offset the ban imposed on seal skin imports by the European Union and protect the NWT’s traditional economy, especially in Beaufort communities.

The GMVF program, which is delivered by ITI and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, provides a guaranteed advance to harvesters for NWT seal skins. These skins are sent south to be tanned and dyed. Once processed, they are sold to NWT artists on a cost-neutral basis.

The increased price paid per skin comes in response to recommendations in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy to increase investments in the GMVF Program and expand the provision of raw materials for arts and crafts.

Media inquiries:

Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 920-3343
Email: leslie_campbell@gov.nt.ca