Fisheries committee  There is a market. Which country are we in? Canada. We have to educate the rest of our fellow Canadians to show them what seals are really about. Everybody has been demonizing both the animal and the human conducting the harvesting. We have to start really showing Canada, first and foremost.

Fisheries committee  I have lots of names, so you can call me anything you want.

Fisheries committee  Thank you, Lisa. [Witness spoke in Inuktitut] [English] Each of the cultural seal hunters is really awesome in this country, and we should respect all of them, from Newfoundland, the Magdalen Islands and Nunavut, plus the territories and, hopefully, B.C. soon. Seal meat should be available everywhere in restaurants in Canada and in all the stores.

Fisheries committee  Infrastructure's always the main focus. Infrastructure to make one animal into a lot of pieces and then utilize it is one big factor that we need to address in Canada. The resources really.... If we do it the right way, this country could have a really successful seal hunt as we do in fisheries.

Fisheries committee  We do grey seal because traditionally the harp seal, for us, is dog food. The grey seal is really a new product. We're very picky. Inuit are very picky about what we eat. Therefore, if these Inuit are willing and welcoming the meat at this level, I'll bet you the rest of the country and the rest of the world will follow.

Fisheries committee  I'd like to add that it's not just food, it's our culture. Many Inuit who are born in the cities don't have the same knowledge as I do. Therefore, when we bring seal into their lives, they're able to learn about what parts are utilized in different ways, and the names of the body parts.

Fisheries committee  [Witness spoke in Inuktitut] [English] First of all, I'd like to say thank you, Chairman, for having me here. My name is Ruben Komangapik. I'm from Pond Inlet, Nunavut. The first time I ever killed a seal, I was three years old, and it was a baby, too—a whitecoat. My father brought it back to teach me how to see the animal whole.