Iqaluit (Apr 07/03) - The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board wants the government to wait a little longer before jumping ahead with its new Wildlife Act.

Bill 35, the proposed Nunavut Wildlife Act, passed second reading in the legislative assembly last March and is now under review. The board hopes the bill will not be read into law until November instead of June as originally expected.

"Most of the concerns we have is how Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) fits into the act," said Okalik Egeesiak, a member of the board.

Although the government carried out a series of public consultations in the lead up to drafting the bill, Eegeesiak said the board feels it's important for Nunavummiat to get a chance to view the final product before it passes into law.

Nonetheless, Egeesiak added that she likes the fact the bill includes many provisions outlined in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

"The wildlife section of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement is the biggest section. It's very important because Inuit want to ensure that wildlife and the environment are sustained," she said.

The board spent two days last week sifting through the legislation. They called the document a good start but said it needs a little more work.

Bill 35 is the first legislation drafted in the Western world to include Inuit values and principles. Its primary objective is to bridge conflicts between scientific wildlife management practices and Inuit customs.

"Seven or eight years ago I remember a scientist saying 'Inuit traditional knowledge is not science,'" said board chair Ben Kovic.

"I was very hurt by that. I can say Inuit traditional knowledge is science."