Men, Women & Children’s Beaver Fur Insoles

The Beaver Fur Insoles solve the issue of cold feet by offering a sustainable and more effective solution to conventional single-use warmers and insoles made with non-recyclable materials. Developed at the intersection of modern manufacturing technologies and ancestral knowledge, these warmers offer a long-lasting and sustainable way to maintain warmth. With warm feet, we can keep our body temperatures regulated while playing or working outdoors. For those with circulation challenges, these warmers help address health complications and provide comfortable levels of warmth to those impacted by cold feet.

As Canada and the United States have some of the most severe climates in the world, many individuals are turning to single-use warmers to participate in everyday activities and maintain warmth. However, as these warmers cannot be reused, they contribute to litter and landfill waste and can be unsafe if used incorrectly. Crafted from 100% sustainable and ethically-sourced sheared beaver fur, the insoles are effective, safe, and reusable, greatly minimizing the environmental impact of keeping warm with single-use, chemical-based, or battery-operated alternatives.

However, as the unique properties of wild beaver fur make it time-consuming to cut fur using traditional handmade methods, Aurora Heat aims to incorporate innovative manufacturing technologies to cost-effectively produce and scale the product, ensuring that more people can enjoy warm, comfortable feet without compromising on sustainability. As these manufacturing technologies have never been used for beaver fur, Aurora Heat is solving the problem of efficiently automating the production process while preserving the quality and eco-friendly attributes of the material.

Manufacturing, sales, marketing, and customer service for the Beaver Fur Insoles will grow employment opportunities in the remote and northern communities of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Aligned with Aurora Heat’s core mission of creating safe, inclusive, and flexible employment for Indigenous women, girls, and youth, these openings will be prioritized for this underserved group.

The Beaver Fur Insoles provide a two-part solution: 1) Offering an innovative. sustainable product crafted from ethically sourced materials, ensuring warmth and comfort while minimizing environmental impact and 2) Leveraging innovative manufacturing technology to efficiently produce the product at scale. Part 1 of this solution focuses on the natural technology of beaver fur, which traps and circulates users’ body heat when worn. Aurora Heat is a proud member of the Genuine Mackenzie Valley Fur Program, ensuring that the furs used for this solution are of the highest quality and ethically sourced from Indigenous trappers in the Northwest Territories when possible.

The second part of this solution emphasizes the integration of innovative manufacturing technologies, which have never been used for cutting beaver furs. By integrating cutting-edge automation (known as “the press”) into our Indigenous social enterprise, this solution aims to optimize efficiency and scalability without compromising quality or sustainability. With access to increased manufacturing technologies from this solution, Aurora Heat will be better positioned to meet demand and continue providing employment opportunities for Indigenous women and youth.

This strategic combination of sustainable sourcing and advanced manufacturing technologies enhance the overall effectiveness of the solution and reinforces Aurora Heat’s commitment to eco-conscious business practices, ensuring that consumers can confidently purchase warmers that do not cause harm.

The Beaver Fur Insoles will support Indigenous communities in Fort Smith, NT by providing increased employment opportunities thereby increasing manufacturing and technological literacy in the community. Staff will receive necessary training to operate the manufacturing systems, market the products, and distribute them across Canada and the United States. By fostering increased economic opportunities for Indigenous trappers and peoples, our project contributes to the preservation of their cultural heritage and the economic discrimination that Indigenous people face. We believe this project exemplifies economic empowerment for Indigenous peoples by developing opportunities for self-reliance and preserving cultural heritage through sustainable practices and innovation.

Aurora Heat is well-positioned to implement this solution due to several key factors. Since 2015, Aurora Heat has operated a successful business in Fort Smith, NT where the Indigenous communities we work with reside. The business has developed a wide range of fur warmers that showcase market acceptance and uptake. The product line has received a tremendous amount of positive feedback across Canada and the United States, with the warmers frequently being praised for their ingenuity, sustainability, comfort, and cultural significance.

Our Team Lead, Brenda Dragon, is a dedicated community leader in Fort Smith and is of Denesuline and Metis descent. Brenda is also the owner and founder of Aurora Heat, Inc. which has provided over 60 employment opportunities that meet people where they are at. Other project contributors are Bryanna Modeste, Lianne Adair, and Sean Myomi Hougan. Bryanna Modeste is a young woman of Metis descent who will be trained on the manufacturing technology, expanding her skills from handmade processes. Lianne Adair is a young Metis woman who will soon be graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the UBC Sauder School of Business who will support the marketing, distribution, and customer care aspects of the project. Sean Myomi Hougan is a minority woman with a track record of success in the high-tech sector. She will oversee the marketing and distribution of the Beaver Fur Insoles.

The Beaver Fur Insoles are currently in the prototype stage as they are at the earlier phase of the development process; however, Aurora Heat has created several working models and we are currently in the process of gathering feedback from external stakeholders. For this solution, Aurora Heat has developed different models of the Beaver Fur Insoles, which have been created using the press and a prototype of a custom die which are the key manufacturing technologies of the solution. In terms of investment capital, limited funds have been secured directly for this product; however, Aurora Heat has successfully raised capital for general business operations and the development of the press. The team is actively seeking additional funding opportunities to advance the solution and facilitate its transition from the prototype to the scaling stage. This includes pursuing grants, creating partnerships, and developing a marketing plan for a test launch.

As Aurora Heat's mission and purpose are grounded in sustainable innovation, community-led leadership, and impactful partnerships, we are attracted to MIT’s Solve 2024 Indigenous Communities Fellowship. In addition to the grant, we are looking to leverage the support program and Indigenous-led network. Operating from a remote community in Northern Canada, we are seeking support from partners who can help advance product distribution. Namely, ways to reduce delivery costs and expand our client base in US markets. We are also looking for support to develop and implement social and sustainable impact reporting and data collection. Aurora Heat has previously experienced success through participating in network support programs such as Coralus and Mitacs. Through these programs, we have realized the value of enhancing in-house expertise through partnerships of this nature. Participating in MIT’s Solve 2024 Indigenous Communities Fellowship would enable Aurora Heat to further develop impactful partnerships and expand our sector and geographical network, with a focus on connecting with new Indigenous communities and leaders across the world.

Born and raised in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Brenda returned to her home community at the age of 57 to be with her aging mother and became a counselor for Smith Landing First Nation. Outside of her role as the President of Aurora Heat, Brenda has been a lifelong volunteer. She serves on a board that supports Indigenous and youth well-being, a territorial Mental Health organization. Along with helping breastfeeding mothers, Brenda is also the membership coordinator for the local community Chamber of Commerce. Through these diverse initiatives, Brenda has continued to stay connected to the community while actively contributing to the well-being and development of Indigenous Peoples. Her dedication to service reflects her deep-rooted commitment to fostering a thriving and supportive environment for all residents of Fort Smith.

While using beaver fur for warmth has been a practice for centuries, pioneered by Indigenous peoples in Canada and the United States, there have been minimal advancements in manufacturing technology for cutting beaver pelts into uniform shapes. Consequently, the process remains highly time-consuming and labor-intensive, limiting the amount of sustainable fur warmers that can be marketed, sold, and distributed. While Aurora Heat has been crafting warmers since 2015, the Beaver Fur Insoles mark the organization's first venture into integrating innovative manufacturing technologies.

Leading the introduction of this manufacturing process is not only exciting for Aurora Heat’s growth strategy but also promises to significantly advance the global product category, aiding in the reduction of single-use, chemical-based, and battery-operated warmers that contribute to environmental harm. As these manufacturing technologies progress and reach the final stage with the Beaver Fur Insoles, they can subsequently be applied to a range of beaver fur products. Moreover, this solution will boost demand from Indigenous fur trappers, thereby supporting their livelihoods and preserving this important aspect of culture.

The theory of change for Aurora Heat’s Beaver Fur Insoles solution establishes a clear linkage between activities, outputs, and outcomes, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and target population needs.

Activity: Aurora Heat aims to integrate innovative manufacturing technologies to cut beaver pelts into uniform shapes, marking a pioneering step in the global hand and foot warming solution market.

Immediate Outputs: The development ofBeaver Fur Insoles, which leverages sustainable materials, Indigenous Knowledge and innovative manufacturing techniques, is the primary output of the initiative.

Long-term Outcomes:

1. Environmental Impact Reduction: By replacing single-use warmers, chemical-based and battery-operated warmers with durable and sustainable Beaver Fur Insoles, the solution aims to mitigate environmental harm caused by disposable warmers. This outcome aligns with Aurora Heat's commitment to sustainability and addresses the growing global concern over synthetic waste accumulation.

2. Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Communities: Through the increased demand for beaver fur products, Indigenous fur trappers will benefit from this solution economically, supporting their livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage. This outcome reinforces Aurora Heat's dedication to community-led leadership and impactful partnerships. Indigenous women and youth in Fort Smith, NT will also benefit from increased avenues of employment that are relevant, safe, and inclusive.

3. Health and Comfort Improvement: The provision of warm, comfortable, and long-lasting insoles addresses the issue of cold feet, benefiting individuals affected by poor circulation or environmental conditions. This outcome enhances users’ quality of life and underscores Aurora Heat's focus on delivering solutions that prioritize user well-being.

Evidence Supporting the Theory of Change: For this solution, Aurora Heat uses various sources of evidence to determine the links between activities, outputs, and outcomes. This includes conducting research on the environmental impact of single-use warmers, determining the effectiveness of the press, and beginning to obtain data from interviews with target populations in Canada to assess the health and comfort benefits of theBeaver Fur Insoles.

Overall, Aurora Heat's theory of change for the Beaver Fur Insoles initiative underscores its commitment to sustainable innovation, community-led leadership, and impactful partnerships, while providing a robust framework for measuring and evaluating the initiative's success.

The impact goals for this solution closely align with Aurora Heat’s long-term outcomes in the theory of change framework. Specifically, we have determined three impact goals for the Eco-Friendly Beaver Fur Insoles, which include:

1. Environmental Sustainability: Our primary aim is to significantly reduce environmental impact by providing a sustainable alternative to single-use warmers, chemical-based and battery-operated foot warmers. This involves minimizing landfill and litter waste associated with disposable products and promoting the use of biodegradable materials. Progress towards this goal will be measured through life cycle assessments, tracking reductions in waste generation, and assessing the eco-friendliness of our manufacturing processes. Aurora Heat is also a member of Eco Canada, where we received the resources to hire an employee to oversee the product’s sustainability and oversee these indicators.

2. Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Communities: With this solution, we are committed to supporting Indigenous fur trappers by increasing demand for beaver fur products and providing employment opportunities within the Indigenous communities of Fort Smith, NT. Our goal is to contribute to the economic stability and cultural preservation of these communities in Northern Canada. Progress will be measured through metrics such as increased income for fur trappers, employment rates, and feedback from Indigenous community leaders. The solution Team Lead, Brenda Dragon, is also considering establishing a membership network of Indigenous fur trappers, where they would meet in-person throughout the year to share their opinions and updates on trapping processes.

3. Well-being: The last impact goal of our solution is to enhance the comfort and warmth of individuals affected by cold feet, poor circulation, or harsh environmental conditions. We aim to improve quality of life by providing durable, comfortable, and effective insoles, which have a much longer lifespan than single-use warmers. Progress will be measured through user feedback surveys, monitoring of health-related indicators such as reduced health-related issues, and assessments of overall satisfaction with the Beaver Fur Insoles. With previous warmers, Aurora Heat has excelled in monitoring customer feedback, ensuring that consumers’ opinions are heard and incorporated into product updates. We are eager to implement similar feedback channels with the proposed product innovation.

The Beaver Fur Insoles are an innovative product that successfully combines modern manufacturing and ancestral technology to design warm, comfortable, and sustainable warmers. Specifically, in order to move away from the time-consuming processes of cutting beaver pelts by hand, Aurora Heat aims to introduce new manufacturing technologies, such as a hydraulic press and custom dies, to manufacture these insoles. With this solution, the press functions by exerting controlled pressure on the beaver fur, allowing for precise and uniform cutting of the pelts into desired shapes and sizes. This automated process also combines an air-sucking system to significantly streamline production, reducing the time and labor required compared to manual cutting methods. This technology will allow Aurora Heat to meet growing demand for sustainable warmers. Additionally, the press ensures consistency in the final product, minimizing variations in size and shape and greatly reducing product waste. By leveraging this modern manufacturing technology alongside the years of traditional ancestral knowledge of working with beaver fur, Aurora Heat’s project blends innovation and Traditional Knowledge to achieve desired project impact.

Aurora Heat operates in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. As a for-profit organization, we sell to consumers across all regions of Canada and the United States.

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The solution team is composed of eight people. The full-time staff include Brenda Dragon, who is the team leader, as well as Sean Myomi Hougan and Lianne Adair, who help with the project management, marketing, sales, distribution, and financial components of the solution. In terms of operating the press, there are two full-time workshop staff, Bryanna Modeste and Terry McArthur, who will use the manufacturing technologies to manufacture insoles. Finally, Aurora Heat works with a contracted engineer, metallurgical welder, and mechanical laborer to develop and implement the manufacturing technology. Brenda Dragon designed the product and ideates technological solutions for manufacturing.

Aurora Heat has been working on Beaver Fur Insoles for approximately two years and is in the process of developing and acquiring the press, the key manufacturing technology in this solution which has been a highly complex task. However, now that manufacturing technology has been developed, we are confident that we will move through the remaining stages of this solution more quickly.

At Aurora Heat, our priority is fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within both our team and the organization as a whole, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all employees. We demonstrate our commitment to diversity through the composition of our solution team, which includes individuals from various backgrounds, including representatives from four Indigenous communities. Acknowledging the value of diverse perspectives, we ensure that all team members contribute and share their insights at every stage of solution development.

To mitigate barriers to opportunity, we've implemented several initiatives and objectives, such as hiring candidates from underrepresented groups like Indigenous women and youth in the Fort Smith community. Continuous training opportunities are provided for all staff members to deepen their understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion. We actively gather feedback from staff across all departments to ensure their voices are heard and that any feedback is promptly addressed. Throughout the organization, established policies and procedures are in place to address instances of discrimination or bias and promote a safe and supportive work environment for everyone. Through this solution, our aim is to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion form a robust foundation for all our business practices and advancements.

Since 2015, Aurora Heat’s business model has focused on offering a variety of beaver fur warmers to consumers across Canada and the United States, who are seeking sustainable, comfortable, and long-lasting alternatives to single-use warmers. Our product line includes warmers for hands, feet, ankles, and the body, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing warmth while creating job opportunities and supporting the community of Fort Smith and Indigenous fur trappers. The introduction of our latest solution, the Beaver Fur Insoles, represents an exciting advancement in our product offerings, combining ancestral knowledge with modern manufacturing technologies—a pioneering approach in the use of wild and ethically-sourced beaver fur.

Aurora Heat primarily conducts B2C sales through e-commerce channels, with a presence in select stores across Canada and occasional participation in pop-up events. Additionally, successful affiliate marketing partnerships throughout Canada and the United States have diversified Aurora Heat’s business model. As we continue to expand our operations and geographical reach, we are confident that the Beaver Fur Insoles will complement our product line effectively, and we look forward to applying these manufacturing technologies on a larger scale in the future.

Aurora Heat is a successful for-profit organization that is able to sustain operations through a steady revenue stream from selling a variety of sustainable warmers directly to consumers and businesses. When Aurora Heat was developing the first part of this solution, which entailed building and installing the press, we successfully secured funding in the amount of $230,000 from The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, which provides support for small or medium-sized businesses in Canada to use innovation to bring products to market. This is a highly prestigious grant, and Aurora Heat had to go through several rounds of due diligence to secure this funding.

While we are confident that we will be able to cover the long-term expenses from this solution as it transitions into a successful consumer product at scale, the funds provided by the MIT Solve Indigenous Communities Fellowship would assist us with finalizing the die design for the insoles, which is the next step in advancing the prototype. Additionally, some of the solution’s team members have had their positions covered by grants from Mitacs and EcoCanada, demonstrating how we are able to successfully secure different types of grants to foster innovation. Together, Aurora Heat’s ability to leverage different types of grants to support new initiatives as well as maintain a steady product revenue stream demonstrates our ability to successfully adapt to push innovation ahead.