March 30, 2011 - Final numbers are in and over $815,000 worth of Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs (GMVF) were sold at a wild fur sale hosted by Fur Harvester's Auction Inc. in Seattle, Washington on March 13, 2011.

This year, there was an increase in demand for NWT furs, especially from buyers in Russia and China, and GMVF pelts for mink, marten, fisher, arctic fox and red fox achieved the top auction prices against all other pelts from across Canada and the Northern US.

“Fur from the NWT is now recognized as some of the finest wild fur in North America,” says Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Bob McLeod. “With that success, our trappers and their communities will benefit.”

In total, an estimated $942,000 worth of GMVF’s have been sold at two wild fur sales in 2011, an increase of nearly $300,000 from 2010. GMVF’s will be sold at an auction again in Seattle on May 19, and the final sale of the season will take place on June 21, in North Bay, ON.

By actively supporting the harvesting and marketing of wild fur through the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Furs Program, the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking action to diversify the economy and provide all communities and regions with opportunities and choices as identified in the 16th Assembly's vision of Northerners Working Together.

For more information, contact:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 920-8696