Yellowknife (Feb 01/06) - Sealskins from Nunavut won't be making their way to Greenland yet, but it's not for lack of trying.

A group of high-ranking politicians from Nunavut and Greenland met in Nuuk last week to discuss the ban and how it affects Nunavut's hunters.

Eric Nanauq of Baker Lake waited patiently for a seal to pop up during a cultral inclusion program outing he took in 2004. Despite a meeting of high-ranking officials last week, Greenland refused to lift a ban on all Canadian sealskins. - photo courtesy of Craig Vincent

"We discussed how we can deal with issues that effect our culture better in the future," said Nunavut's Environment minister Olayuk Akesuk.

Early this year, Greenland's home rule government banned all Canadian seal pelt imports because of what they called inhumane harvesting techniques performed in this country.

"During the meeting, they mentioned the Newfoundland hunt quite a bit, and how they were killing seals," said Akesuk. In the meeting, Nunavut's delegates noted Nunavut's sealing techniques are humane, culturally important, and similar to those used by the Inuit of Greenland.

Akesuk said it's important for the world to know that Nunavut is serious about preserving its culture and sustaining the animals.

"We said that this ban is not acceptable for us," said Akesuk.

Akesuk said Greenland was apologetic, but would not lift the temporary ban immediately.

The two governments agreed to establish a working group that would deal with this issue and others that relate to both countries on an open and transparent basis.

This group is scheduled to meet in March.

On Jan. 24, Greenland's minister for fishing and hunting was quoted in the Greenland Post as saying his department did not know what the Nunavut government wanted to speak about prior to the meeting.

"It would have been nice for me to know precisely what Paul Okalik and Olayuk Akesuk want to speak with me about. I have only heard of their arrival through the media," said Carlsen.

To this, Akesuk explained that the Nunavut premier's office arranged the meetings with the Greenland premier. As is Nunavut protocol, Olayuk expected the Greenland premier's office would relay information to the relevant departments.

"That's the protocol in our agreement," he said.

On the Nunavut side of the meeting were premier Paul Okalik, Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. president Paul Kaludjak and Inuit Circumpolar Conference chair Sheila Watt-Cloutier. They met with Premier of Greenland Hans Enoksen, the Minister of Hunting and Fishing Finn Carlsen and the Minister of Environment and Nature Asii Chemnitz Narup.