"The North will always be full of risky pastimes."
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Coral Harbour (Apr 03/00) - Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) filed for a judicial review process in territorial court this past Thursday against the Department of Sustainable Development.
 Photo courtesy of Noah Kadlak |
Kadlak (left) was to have the hunt documented by a southern film company.
His proposal was approved by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB) before being denied by Kilabuk.
NTI president Paul Quassa said NTI's mandate is to ensure Inuit rights outlined in 1993's Final Agreement are protected.
"Our argument here is the fact Inuit have the right to use any method to exercise their right to hunt, trap and fish anywhere in Nunavut," said Quassa.
"That right is being disallowed by the minister's decision."
Quassa said NTI does not support the argument Kadlak only wants to conduct the hunt to make money from the film company.
He said NTI has to protect and enhance the traditional culture of Inuit.
"This is very much part of our traditional culture that this beneficiary (Kadlak) wants to exercise again for the benefit of future generations so they will know how it used to be done.
"I don't care if somebody is going to film it. This is a right both the territorial and federal governments accepted when they signed the final agreement with NTI in 1993."
Quassa says Kilabuk overstepped his limits in making his decision.
The final agreement gives the minister the right to overturn a NWMB decision if: it's in the national interest for the decision not to be adhered to; out of interests for the safety of the person involved or the public at large (which Kilabuk stated was the reason for his decision); and if it's contrary to an existing wildlife act.
"I believe the minister was basing his decision on the fact that this might not look very well with the animal rights groups, which have nothing to do with the final agreement.
"He also based it on the safety issue knowing NWMB put very strict restrictions on the hunt before approving it and all the precautions were written down.
"Noah (Kadlak) was going to do this in a very safe manner and I don't care what animal lovers think.
"I only worry about Inuit rights accepted by government.
"This request falls within those rights and we're going to protect them, no matter what anybody else thinks."
