Honoring Life: Reflecting on the Use of Animal Fur

At Indigenous Crafts , we are deeply aware of the responsibility we bear when we choose to work with animal fur. This decision was not taken lightly, and it is based on a reflection that goes far beyond the aesthetics or functionality of the materials we use. Our approach is rooted in a desire to honor animal life and perpetuate ancestral traditions while respecting the sacred principles of Indigenous peoples.

Honoring the lives of animals

Animals have always played a central role in human evolution. Before humans discovered agriculture, before they began building cities and creating complex societies, they depended on animals for survival. Animals provided not only food, but also materials for clothing, protection from the cold, and tools. The relationship between humans and animals has therefore been, from the very beginning, one of dependence and mutual respect.

At Indigenous Crafts , we believe the best way to honor these animals, who unwittingly contributed to our modern evolution, is to value them after their death. By using the fur of animals that have already found their way to taxidermists, we avoid wasting this precious resource. We firmly believe that every animal deserves to be honored, and one way to do so is to ensure that nothing of it is lost or forgotten.

An Indigenous Perspective: Animals as Sacred Beings

In Indigenous cultures, animals are not simply resources; they are considered sacred beings. Every animal is believed to possess a spirit, and this spirit deserves respect. Indigenous peoples have always maintained a symbiotic relationship with nature, seeing in every living being a reflection of their own existence. Using an animal's fur is not simply taking something from nature; it is an act that requires recognition, gratitude, and respect.

When we work with fur at Indigenous Crafts , we do everything we can to align with these values. We don't simply see a raw material, but a being that has lived, that has contributed to the balance of its ecosystem, and that continues to play a role even after its death. For us, each piece we create is a form of gratitude, a way to perpetuate the animal's memory and give it a new life through art.

Promoting fur in a modern context

By using animal fur, we seek to create a bridge between traditional Indigenous practices and the modern world. Our creations are not simply objects; they carry stories, traditions, and a philosophy that honors the cycle of life. By valuing fur, we remind people that these animals had lives, played a role in nature, and that their contribution continues through craftsmanship.

Our commitment is to work in harmony with nature, respecting provincial and federal taxidermy laws, as well as Indigenous traditions that recognize every animal as a being worthy of respect. We hope that everyone who wears or admires one of our creations will feel this profound connection with nature and the spirits of the animals that made this work possible.

At Indigenous Crafts , we believe every action counts, and we strive to ensure that every piece of fur is used in a way that honors the animal from which it came. This is our way of contributing to the preservation of traditions, while respecting life in all its forms.

Photo: Animal Medicine Wheel Painting by Tina Heck