Man with the most beautiful dogs in Fort Chip gives tourists a thrill while keeping an eye on the tar sands

His team of dogs is something Robert Grandjambe of Fort Chipewyan takes great pride in.

It’s his hobby, his income and his culture.

He passes the tradition on to visitors of Fort Chip with Atim Ostogwan Dog Sledding and Boat Tours, a company he created with his wife.

“It’s really, really important to pass that on,” he said. “It’s sad that a lot of young people aren’t interested in this anymore.”

People from the south travel to the community to get a taste of northern culture. And it’s the only business like it in Fort Chip.

“A good way to retain that culture is to practice it and share it with visitors,” Grandjambe said. “We see that in the eyes of the guests. They’re so interested.

“They’ve never seen this before and perhaps I may be the last person who’s doing this.”

But getting the dogs ready to hit the trails isn’t an easy task.

Grandjambe has a fishing net on Lake Athabasca which he pulls regularly to feed his family and his dogs.

Rather than buying dog food at the local grocery store, Grandjambe said fish is healthier and more cost effective.

With oil production a few hours away near Fort McMurray, fishing also allows him to monitor the condition of the lake.

“If you see the fish every day and you’re keeping an eye on things, you’re watching what’s going on,” Grandjambe said while pulling his net.

“So I think that’s why it’s so important to continue this lifestyle.”

After the fish are frozen, it’s feeding time.

As the hungry dogs whine and howl, Granjambe cuts the fish into pieces and hands them to the dogs.

When it’s time to take the dogs out, Grandjambe harnesses them up with dog blankets that his wife made.

“The reason they did this a long time ago was because the elders in the community would give away their daughters,” he said, “When they gave their daughters away they wanted to give to a good provider. So if you had a beautiful team of dogs well you were naturally a good provider and a good trapper or hunter.