Seeds of hope

Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jun 18/01) - Hard-hit M'Clintock Channel polar bear hunters hope a government aid package will plant the seeds of self-sufficiency.

Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk introduced a six-point plan to help hunters and guides when the Nunavut legislature met in Cambridge Bay last month. The plan is to help them deal with a reduced polar bear quota in the Channel this year and a moratorium on hunting bear there next year.

The M'clintock plan Activities eligible for funding include: Feasibility studies of community-based projects Improving business services Marketing initiatives of specific economic opportunities Product development Community events that promote community economic development Purchase of equipment or buildings that support feasible community-based economic opportunities Training and skill development in support of priority economic projects Tools and equipment for harvesters and sewers

The Nunavut Wildlife Management Board ordered the moratorium in January after a scientific study indicated the population to be less than half of what was thought.

The move hit sport hunting guides who earn thousands of dollars leading annual bear hunts, and robbed the region's residents of an important part of their traditional diet: polar bear meat.

Help on the way

Two of the six points are aimed at Gjoa Haven, hardest hit of the three communities that depended on the M'Clintock bears.

Taloyoak and Cambridge Bay have hunting access to other bear populations.

To help Gjoa Haven, Akesuk said his department would bring bear meat to the hamlet. He was, however, unable to say how much money or meat would be made available.

Akesuk also said he would try to obtain a small number of tags to allow Gjoa Haven residents to hunt polar bears in the neighbouring Gulf of Boothia.

For all affected parties

The government also plans to hold talks with the American government in an attempt to open other Nunavut polar bear management zones to American hunters.

Akesuk also promised his department would continue scientific and traditional knowledge studies into the M'Clintock Channel bear population.

Key to the plan is a $200,000 that will go to stimulate new economic initiatives. A committee made up of representatives from the three communities and the regional wildlife office will administer the money.

"Any people making a sport hunting way of living, this money should help them start other things," said Vivienne Aknavigak of the Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Association in Cambridge Bay. No proposals have yet been received.

Louis Kamookak, the chair of the Gjoa Haven HTA, said members of his community hoped to start a sport-fishing lodge with their share of the fund.

"We're going to try to guide the money to that project," said Kamookak.

He said even though there wasn't a lot of money available, it would help each community get something started.

"It's better than nothing," he said.

Bert Dean, director of wildlife for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., called the plan a good starting point. He said it gave the hamlets the seeds they needed to develop independent solutions.

"The government didn't want this just to be a compensation thing," Dean said.

"It's up to the communities (to come up with the proposals). That's what we need. The government and NTI can't always come in and fix it."

A meeting of the people involved will be held in July.