Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to our guests for your presence here today.
Being from the island of Newfoundland and the big land of Labrador, I understand the importance of culture and heritage. I want to say a heartfelt congratulations to all of you, young and old alike, for your great efforts in maintaining your culture and preserving your heritage. To do that takes sustainability and a way of life, and I guess the purpose of your being with us here today is to ensure that we get the message about how important it is to be able to sustain the way of life you now have.
One of the comments of Mr. Ningeocheak was about education, that education is the key. There is no doubt in my mind that your short time with us today has educated us all greatly. Certainly, if the Government of Canada of any political stripe—past, present, and future—does not work together with you to help maintain your way of life, it's a shame on all of us, in my view.
In one comment you made, you referred to your mittens as “cuffs”, and we still use that term—we still have cuffs—in Newfoundland also.
You mentioned your arts and crafts industry as secondary to the seal hunt itself. As I look around at the young people here today, I see some wonderful products. What does that industry mean to your communities in dollar value? You mentioned what the seals themselves mean, and I realize that you use the seal 100%. But the arts and crafts industry in your communities must mean so much. I'd just like to know exactly what it means in dollar value.