Photo by Vince Fedoroff
MAKING GOOD USE OF FUR SCRAPS – Sarah McGrath works on a public art project for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games at the UnFURrled event on Saturday. Scrap fur pieces are used to make the project, and the public is invited to participate.
The past weekend’s unFURled event was a resounding success – proving there is still strong local support for the Yukon’s fur industry, organizers say.
The past weekend’s unFURled event was a resounding success – proving there is still strong local support for the Yukon’s fur industry, organizers say.
More than 1,000 people visited the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre on Saturday to take part in the unFURled event.
It included interpretive displays, a photo exhibition, hands-on activities, crafting and a fur marketplace.
In just seven hours, more than $60,000 of fur pelts and products were sold, with the proceeds going directly to the trappers and artisans.
“As Yukoners, we should like fur, own fur and – most importantly – have a story to share about fur,” said Jason Van Fleet of the North Yukon Renewable Resources Council of Old Crow.
“This weekend was about that. About sharing our stories about fur and how it connects us to the land.”
The event ended with a special gala called the Fur Ball.
The sold-out event had locals walking the red carpet in their finest furs, dining on beaver tails prepared by the Yukon College’s culinary program, and dancing the night away with the Old Crow Jiggers and Ryan McNally’s band.
UnFURled is a partnership between the renewable resources council of Old Crow and the Yukon Trappers Association.
It was produced by Shot in the Dark Productions.
Funding came from the Renewable Resources Council Surplus Fund, Yukon Regional Economic Development and CanNor.
Organizers hope to stage the event every two years in co-ordination with the Dawson Fur Show.
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Comments (2)
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Brian on Mar 14, 2018 at 9:28 am
I am Fur Real. This event celebrates the rich renewable resource of the Trapping Industry. Canada's oldest industry. Their were Crafters and Trappers, many talented artisans who make a living selling value added products from their family traplines. This event was long over due, we had lots of people who were able to see the inside of the industry, and realize the bonding that occours in our communities around a sewing workshops. Respect given to the animals we harvest. Grandmothers sewing with their grandchildren. Fathers who share the skills required to survive on the land with the children of today.
UnFURled was a huge success in its inaugural year. It has opened doors for the future that will allow more revenue generating activities in the communities where they may not have the skilled trades to fill the mining jobs that are coming their way.
It proved that 1 successful Trapper can help keep several Crafters busy.
This event was to help increase revenue to the Trapper. the auction houses have had extremely low returns which don't make it financially feadable to continue on in the industry.
This event was to also show the world, we respect our animals and the land, and No More Cheap Fur!!!
We trappers will supply the Crafters, generating more revenue for the Yukon, from a renewable resource. Our furs will leave as Value Added Products befor we let the fur leave for a wholesale price. The Ranch fur industry can battle it out over low prices. We're building a stage for world market sales of beautiful finished garments. Functional Art so to say.
We are proud to be one of the spearheads of this event. I am proud to know the 200 plus active Trappers out on the land.
Brian Melanson
President of Yukon Trappers Association
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BnR on Mar 14, 2018 at 7:25 am
I heard it was well attended by the Yukon via Toronto set. Man buns and Carharts.