Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Coral Harbour (Oct 04/00) - A group of Kivalliq residents are learning the right stuff in Coral Harbour. Or, at least, the right stuffing.

Ten residents of Coral and Repulse Bay are learning the art of taxidermy from Manitobans Paul Fayant and his assistant Paul Leece.

The two are from Fort McCreary's Canadian College of Taxidermy, the only licensed private vocational school of its kind in Canada.

Fayant says Terry Ledoux, who founded the college in 1993, met with Kivalliq representatives at a trade show in Brandon and a deal was negotiated.

"Terry and I flew up to take a look around and the hamlet jumped at the chance to have us here, so we negotiated a contract for an eight-week course," says Fayant.

"The 10 students are on track to complete the course on Oct. 17."

The taxidermists preferred to teach the Kivalliq group using Arctic fox.

When they couldn't be supplied in such short notice, the instructors decided to bring their own animals.

"We brought raccoons with us. They're about the same size and the same technique is involved in making life-sized mounts."

The raccoons weren't the only thing new to the course participants.

The tool of choice among taxidermists is the scalpel because of its ease with detailed work.

The students were also introduced to a motorized fleshing machine, which is considerably quicker than performing the task by hand.

Strong spin-off potential

Forms are created to the animal's specifications out of styrofoam, which the skins are mounted on.

Fayant says he's talked to the hamlet about setting up a supply house to make the forms.

"We have another course planned for December and, as we teach more people here, it makes sense for trained local people to make the forms, rather than have them sent up from the south."

Students are also learning different tanning methods, from soft fur for parkas, to a stiffer style for mounting.

Fayant says although many aspects were new to the students, they are learning quickly and will be able to perform every aspect of taxidermy upon graduating.

He says there's a strong demand for taxidermists in Canada, with most would-be clients waiting a year to have their trophy mounted.

"The market for Arctic animals is very strong. They're starting to push hunting in this area and, with the proper support in place for the industry, it could be a real boost for the local economy.

"The Coral area has the potential to bring in about $100,000 annually from hunters alone, not counting tanning, taxidermy and other related businesses."