Northerners Mourn Death Of Fur Buyer Robertson

Northerners Mourn Death Of Fur Buyer Robertson

Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 14:56

The man who established the Robertson Trading Company in northern Saskatchewan passed away earlier this week after a lengthy illness.

Alex Robertson founded the fur trading post and grocery store in 1967, after spending two decades grading fur for the Hudson Bay Company.

Long-time area trapper Franklin Carriere calls Robertson a friend, and says he treated trappers with respect, often letting them buy groceries and other supplies from his store on credit.

Carriere also says he gained a lot of his own knowledge about the fur industry from Robertson.

“I improved my trapping ability, and also my skill in preparing pelts just by talking to him… and he always was cheerful with me,” he says, noting that he also bought groceries, axes and other equipment he needed for work on the trapline from Robertson’s store.

Carriere says Robertson’s business forced other fur buyers to give trappers a reasonable return for their pelts.

Robertson’s funeral will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the La Ronge Alliance Church.