Facts on Sealing

Sealing has long been a central part of Inuit life. Until the early 20th century, Inuit families would commonly load up their skinboats and journey out from protected fjords to favourable hunting grounds. In summer, they would take to the open waters, whilst in the dark season they would wait patiently, sometimes for hours, to harpoon seals at allut, or breathing holes, in the sea ice. Or if ice conditions allowed, they could creep up on their quarry concealed by a small blind. Successful hunts under such conditions required extraordinary preparation, skill and patience. Hunters' wives were skilled at processing seals, and used the meat, blubber and skin for many purposes - from food and clothing to lighting and heat. Products of the hunt were widely shared within communities.

The hunt has changed little today. Although harpoons are now supplemented by modern technologies such as rifles and radios, skill, patience and detailed knowledge are still vital to the success of a hunt. In summer, seals are typically shot from skiffs or kayaks, while in the dark season they will be caught in open leads, at breathing holes, or by placing nets beneath the ice. In southern Greenland, sealing often takes place in conjunction with commercial fishing, whilst in North and East Greenland, and in many Canadian Eastern Arctic commumties sealing continues to be a major activity year-round.

Seal meat is a staple food in the diet. In the Greenlandic and Canadian Inuit language, the word for meat (negi) almost invariably refers to seal meat unless some other animal is specified. The meat is eaten raw, boiled, dried or frozen, while the blubber, oil and organs are also widely consumed. Seal skins are used to provide winter clothing, or may be sold to Great Greenland A/S (the government-owned tannery in Qaqortoq), as well as community-based skin sewing workshops or, in Canada, to local co-operatives and traders.

The sale of seal skins is an important part of the economy in contemporary Greenlandic communities, providing cash for hunters to buy fuel, hunting equipment, and a variety of imported foods and other items. Even in communities where the economy is dominated by commercial fisheries, the sale of seal skins provides an important supplement to family incomes, particularly in winter or when fishing quotas have been filled

In the Province of Newfoundland/Labrador the EI program requires that the minimum anual family income must not exceed 20,000 - 30,000 dollars per household. In 2006, the EI program required a person to work 420 hours (not exceeding an anual family income of $30,000). If the total hours is not meet, then the person would be required to work 910 hours in 2007. So, between a small family of 2 people they must work 840 hours but not make more than 30,000 dollars. Yes, most people would say than work full time all year round, but keep in mind that the minimun wage is $6.75 for adults. At minimun wage, the people of this province are living of $1080.00 per month. They still pay just as much money for housing and hydro. They still have the same bills as you and I. So after paying your rent, hydro, cable, telephone bills how much money do you have left over for food when you start with $1080.

Many Newfie/Labradorians rely on seal meat as a main diet to feed their families. Not only do they eat seal to survive but also wild duck, turr, moose and carribou. So when you go to the store and buy your pork, lamb, beef and VEAL (which is in fact BABY cow) take note of how much you spent on these things. Is it that hard to believe that substituting these meats for wild ones is a necessity for some, rather than a barbaric act. Perhaps, you don't even eat meat. You think the killing of ANY animal is barbaric. You, with your vitamin supplements and your soy milk. Go down to a small town in Labrador. Look for soy milk and green salads. You'll be more likely to find carrots, cabbage, potatoes and turnip, because those are the only vegetables you will find. They don't have the luxury of vegetarian friendly groceries. So, personally people I think you should cut these "archaic, barbarians" some slack, they don't have much but they do a damn good job with what they do have!