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1996 Hide Collections Report
TOTAL
HIDES COLLECTED: 31,000 *
* This is not a final number as five collectors with a total of 1584 hats
among them have not reported yet. Based on last year 's count from these
particular collectors, minus an average reduction in the collection of
10% this year, it is safe to say' that this year's collection will
be approximately 31,000. Total number of hides collected to date
is 29,843.
HATS
Collectors report that the hats were well received with many hunters
commenting that they liked the change, the embroidered crest, and the
series concept. The collectors believe that the burgundy hat with the
embroidered moose crest is the best choice for next year.
Comments made by hunters that the the orange hat is a safety issue were
taken into consideration. To meet these concerns, it was decided that
the excess blaze orange hats from other years (about 3000) would be distributed
evenly among the collectors this August along with the e new shipment.
Therefore, anyone who prefers an orange hat would prefer the option of
of having one instead of the poly-cotton cap with the the embroidered
crest. Th cost of the caps will be approximately $2.10.
BENEFITS TO ABORIGINAL CRAFTSPEOPLE
Collectors were asked to complete and submit a prepared form answering
the following questions:
1) What is your hide distribution/sales to aboriginal craftspeople?
2) What is the average price per square foot for #1 deer and moose, other
grades, and splits?
3) What is the prices charged by other leather distributors?
1) The collection is split 50/50 between BRT Hides Ltd. and the independent
Aboriginal collectors. Of the approximately 15,000 hides collected by
Aboriginal operators, 99% go directly to Aboriginal people. Of BTR's 15,000
hides, approximately 1,050 hides , or 7%, can be identified as sold to
Aboriginal craftspeople. The number is likely more higher.
2) Prices for #1 deer range from $3.00 to $4.50 per square foot. Price
range is directly related to geography. The collectors at Nipigon and
Kenora have more costs for transport than do their southern colleagues
plus higher tanning costs. Western Tanners in Winnipeg is charging Lake
of the Woods Ojibway Cultural centre over $3.00 per square foot
for tanning, whereas in southern Ontario, the average charge is around
$1.60 per square foot.
3) Some prices at other outlets for one square of deer hide are:
| Tandy | $7.00 |
| Leather Factory | $7.10 |
| Halford Hides | $5.25 |
| Canada Hearns | $5.75 |
The Aboriginal collectors state that poor quality hides are given away
to schools and community groups for craft purposes, or are used by the
collectors to make small craft items (all Aboriginal collectors are also
craftspeople). As one collector said, "It wouldn't be bad for business
to sell poor quality leather." Sometimes even #1 leather is donated.
For example, 2000 sq. ft. of fine deer hide was donated to the Jesuits
for vestments created by Aboriginal craftspeople. A ll Aboriginal collectors
supply the communities in their home territories as a first priority and
as local availability would dictate. Secondly, the hides are distributed
on the pow-wow trail where there is a brisk trade for craft supplies.
Several collectors have mail order businesses developed over the years
from networking at pow-wows, other events, and trade fairs.
The hide collection program is supplying good quality leather at the lowest
prices available in the province to hundreds of Aboriginal people and
organizations. More direct marketing to artisans and craftspeople would
increase the benefits. A dialogue with Nishnawbe-Aski Nation has been
initiated to provide hides from the envisioned hide suppliers cooperative
to the NAN crafts cooperative now being created.
ANIMAL UTILIZATION/ENHANCED CONSERVATION
The collectors have expressed an interest in collecting other animal parts
such as tails, hoofs, leg bones, antlers, heads, brains and livers. Deer
hoofs can retail for $1.00 to $1.50 and tails go for $1.00.
The logistics in conserving these parts for utilization was discussed. The collectors believe that with the collection being primarily comprised of regional networks, the collection of other parts could work. The decision would be a local one and would be conveyed to local hunters through local communications augmented by a central information line, much like the Ministry of Natural Resources undertakes provincial programs in select districts (i.e. the jaw collection) and applies different regulations in different management units.
Not to be overlooked is the contact and familiarity of the depot operator with local hunters - a definite asset in coordinating and communicating local differences. It would be up to the individual collectors and depot operator to decide who is collecting what and the coordinator would facilitate provincial and regional communications. The benefits are increased conservation, increased production of traditional items such as hoof shakers and fishing flies, compounds for home/smoke tanning processes, etc.
JAW
COLLECTION
The collectors are interested in undertaking the jaw collection in partnership
with the Ministry of Natural Resources in those areas where jaw data still
is required. The twinning of these two programs has obvious benefits to
both the MNR and the hide collection program. This would require increased
coordination efforts, as would the enhanced conservation initiative described
above. The coordination of the jaw collection would include:
*
facilitation of the initiative
* liaison with MNR
* identifying areas data is required
* identifying depots willing to collect jaws
* setting fees for service and standardizing contracts
* facilitating arrangements between the depot operator and the appropriate
MNR office
* public information/promotions
GREEN HIDE COLLECTION
The provincial Hide Collection Program is willing to subsume administration
of the Green Hides Program subject to clarification and mutual agreement
of the sponsor and the administrator.
BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
In 1996, $5,000 was received to undertake a work planning exercise for
the development of a business based on the hide collection. On behalf
of the Aboriginal collectors, Wikwemikong Development Commission was mandated
to complete this preliminary work. That report and the budget requirements
to take the business development through its next phase is attached. It
is understood that the coordinator of the hide collection program will
take administrative responsibility for the business development initiative.
MARKETING
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Marketing research is required to:
* coordinate and strengthen the crafts people' and hide suppliers' network
* survey the needs of the Aboriginal crafts community
An
greater effort is required to promote the hide collection program for
two purposes:
* collect more hides
* to establish more depots
Efforts
to pursue partnerships to cost share initiatives should be increased.
Other revenue sources need to be researched and attracted.
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