First, Mr. Chairperson, I would like to thank you for the time you've taken to listen to our presentation today.
When we talk about sealing, that is just one component we deal with on a full-time basis, implementing the Nunavut land claims agreement. If you look at the Nunavut land claims agreement, you will see that article 5, which is the biggest part of the agreement, deals with wildlife. Wildlife has been very important in our lives, and it's been taking up all of our time.
When I talk about wildlife, I also am referring to other outstanding issues that we have to resolve, such as polar bears and quotas. Scientists and biologists are always coming out with new announcements every week that caribou species may be depleting, and other fish stocks may be depleting. They make those assumptions and they make those grandiose announcements about our wildlife, and we are never consulted or involved in the study of these species. People never come to us to ask for our traditional knowledge of wildlife and management. We want to participate in decision-making.
To go back to where I'm coming from, in 1971 ITC, which is now ITK, came into effect. I remember spending two weeks at Carleton University when a group of Inuit were crafting the bylaws or the vision of the Inuit Tapiriit of Canada. We were there for one reason: to work together as a collective of Inuit people to fight for our self-determination. That's where I'm coming from today, and that's where I've always been.
Again, I wish to state again, we have traditional knowledge when it comes to our wildlife and we need to be involved in policies when it comes to making decisions about wildlife in Nunavut.
Thank you.