BROUGHTON ISLAND - The Masiliit Corporation is one step closer to forming a new partnership with one of Canada's largest fishing companies.

Last week representatives of the Barry Group, out of Newfoundland, were in Qikiqtarjuaq to meet with the Masiliit board and residents to discuss the possibility of buying sealskins from Nunavut hunters.

Nunavut sealskins sit piled by grade awaiting a sale at the Fur Harvesters Auction house in North Bay, Ont. - photo courtesy of Fur Harvesters Auction

"It is time for a change," said Harry Alookie, manager of the Nattivak Hunters and Trappers Organization. Hunters in the community have sold their seal skins to wildlife officers for the past 20 years.

"We are pretty sure it will be a better price," Alookie said of ongoing negotiations with the eastern firm.

Currently Nunavummiut hunters are paid roughly $45-$50 per sealskin by wildlife officers acting on behalf of the Government of Nunavut.

The 100 per cent Inuit-owned Masiliit Corp. was introduced to representatives from the Barry Group, owners of two Newfoundland tanneries, by a consultant.

During a visit to Labrador last year, representatives of Masiliit were surprised to see working tanning machines that hadn't been used in Nunavut for 20 to 30 years.

In the machines they saw an opportunity to sell their skins directly to companies outside of the territory.

Discussions between the two parties have been ongoing for a year, and last week the Barry Group made presentations to the Northerners.

The Barry Group informed community members on how the market for sealskins worked and how prices were set. "The meetings were absolutely wonderful," said Dion Dakin, sales and marketing manager for Atlantic Marine Products, a division of the Barry Group.

"We don't want to count our eggs before they hatch, but there is a real good possibility that we will meet an agreement in the near future," he said. In addition to buying skins, the Barry Group is exploring opportunities with Masiliit for boosting the quality and volume of the seal harvest.

While details are still a little scant, Dakin signaled his firm is considering far more than simply buying skins from hunters.

"We are looking at resources in the community - the people, skills, equipment and buildings," he said.

Dakin was hesitant to give specific details of what a partnership between the two groups would involve.

He said that there is no timeline for reaching an agreement, and one would only be achieved when everyone's interests were met.

"It would be a long-term goal if all groups supported the idea," Alookie added.

Masiliit was created in 2005 under Qikiqtarjuaq's Hunters and Trappers Organization to represent the community's hunters and fledgling commercial fishing operation.

Alookie estimated there are 50 full-time seal hunters in Qikiqtarjuaq and others who go out seasonally in the spring and summer.

The Barry Group has reportedly been one of the bigger buyers at recent auctions of Nunavut sealskin.