Native trappers seek more control

Page 5

Control over one's resources and one's destiny has and continues to be an evolving situation in Native circles. That condition has not been an easy one to resolve, but one organization is initiating action to further the interests of Native trappers in Alberta.

On September 22 and 23, interested trappers, delegates and resource people from the prairie provinces, Ontario and the NWT gathered at the Continental Inn in Edmonton to discuss problems and concerns of mutual interest to them.

Sponsored by the Aboriginal Trappers Federation of Alberta (AFA) and funded through a grant from NEDP, a major focus of the conference was that of marketing furs and issues regarding wildlife regulations.

GAMING LAWS

The executive director of the Aboriginal Trappers Federation of Canada (AFA), Bob Stevenson, provided a history of their organization and the role they play in representing the interests of trappers. He expressed enthusiasm and delight with the efforts of the ATFA conducting their conference, which he said is "a good start."

On hand to clarify gaming law and regulations was Ron Hanson from Alberta Fish and Wildlife who offered comments that it is their responsibility "to maintain a huntable supply of big game animals" including those required by Native people for subsistence reasons.

Certain issues such as the sale of wild game products, he said, is subject to interpretation by the law. As an example, he cited last year's case in which an Indian

on the west side of the province sold a bear hide, was charged, but was not convicted.

Hanson claims that his department is trying to turn things around to the Native person's advantage such as the application they submitted to have angling licenses given out free of charge. At the same time, he recognizes that Fish and Wildlife have got "a long way to go."

An interesting proposition came from Peter Ladouceur of Fort McKay who suggested an all-purpose license instead of the people always having to acquire and have in their possession a number of different licenses.

Hanson promised to forward the idea to his superior.

MARKETING FURS

Del Haylock, the executive director of the Fur Council of Canada (FCC), described the marketing business on a national and international scale. It's a vast market, he said.

In just four days at a fur fair last week, said Haylock, they booked $137,000,000 in orders. Another fair, in Hong Kong, garnered seven million in orders from Japan and the FCC is looking to potential markets in South America.

As a word of caution, Haylock stated that "fur marketing is an art" which takes practice and skill. For this reason, he said, it is important to have good consultants.

He also pointed to some ready-made advantages of Indian involvement. No taxes and a ready labor supply were the chief reasons.

To investigate marketing possibilities, dollars might be available through federal grants under DREE and PEMD (Program for Export, Management, and Development.)

Although the FCC acts as an umbrella organization for everything from trapping to retailing, their real interest in is marketing finished products, especially fur coats. That, says Haylock, is where the real money is made. He went on to explain that, "there are about 4,000 workers in 450 manufacturing establishments in Canada."

Some of these, he explained, are as small as a one-person operation. He said 80

to 85% are in Montreal, about 15% are in Toronto and a couple in Winnipeg. The actual processing of furs into coats is an expensive proposition but can be quite lucrative, he stated.

One conference delegate who will be getting a firsthand look at the potential for European markets is Harold Cook from Fort Franklin, NWT.

Cook is an Inuit who intends to take crafts and fur samples to Europe where he will conduct an exploratory, fact-finding mission. Some of the resulting information, he feels, could be of value to the ATFA.

CAUTIONARY WORDS

Roger Blowes of OTA (Ontario Trappers Associatin) told the ATFA to tread carefully in their plans to possibly set up a western auction house. Unless you attract a good many buyers, the prices will be low, he claims. Why? Because the buyers can

co-operate with one another in keeping the prices down.

Blowes also cautioned the trappers not to be fooled by three companies which

are owned by the Hudson's Bay (HBC). They are Edmonton Fur Auction Sales, Dominion Soudack of Winnipeg, and TIMS (Trappers International Marketing Services), he said. To deal with any of the three is to deal with the HBC.

Other than Ted Pappas in Vancouver, the OTA is the only other existing alternative to dealing with the HBC said Blowes.

NO NATIVES

When it came to questions, he had to admit that OTA has no board members or auction house staff who are Native. This line of discussions was picked up on as delegates including Bob Stevenson voiced their disapproval of any system in which Native people are "left behind." Past experiences with the monopoly of the HBC were raised as delegates expressed reluctance to be part to such a sad state of affairs. A counter-suggestion of equal participation was then hinted at but was not to be pursued further until day two.

As day one drew to a close, one thing was certain; delegates had a lot of food for thought and that would definitely impact the direction that the conference would take on day two.

One thing was very obvious, nobody wanted to jump into the fire without first testing the heat.