Foodstuffs

Foods from Canada’s Arctic now come in cans, vacuum packs and frozen, and are widely available in gift shops and supermarkets across the Northwest Territories. They include teas from the tundra, spice mixtures, meats and fish. You can find smoked and fresh frozen Arctic char, muskox and buffalo steaks and jerky, plus dried, smoked, fresh filleted or frozen whitefish and trout.

Fishermen still sell direct to consumers in Hay River and Yellowknife. Northern Fancy Meats and some supermarkets also sell local fish and northern meats in season. Here are three sources of authentic northern foods.

Fisherman’s Wharf, Hay River – Choose catch of the day and Great Slave Lake whitefish on the fisherman’s wharf in Hay River, every Saturday through the summer.
Government Wharf, Yellowknife – fishermen sell their catch by the fillet at the government wharf in Yellowknife. Whitefish, trout and lingcod are usually available, with pickerel available in season. Watch for the signs by the wharf in Old Town.
Northern Fancy Meats – Our northern butcher offers a selection of meat, fish and deli items, plus northern specialties: buffalo and muskox steaks, Arctic char and local fish in season. 314 Woolgar Ave., Yellowknife. Ph: (867) 873-8767