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July 19, 2002
Igloolik and Hall Beach
hunters finalize details for bowhead hunt
Excitement is so high
community members might camp out with hunters at Kangiq
SARA
ARNATSIAQ
Hunters in Igloolik
and Hall Beach got the go-ahead to proceed with their bowhead whale hunt. They
now have to decide when to hold the hunt.
(FILE PHOTO)
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The Nunavut Wildlife Management
Board has given Igloolik and Hall Beach approval to proceed with this years
bowhead hunt, the organization said Wednesday.
Now that the two communities
have approval, they can begin finalizing plans for the hunt, including setting
a date. Plans for the Igloolik and Hall Beach bowhead hunt are still being finalized,
said Peter Awa the spokesperson for this years bowhead hunt.
He said that the two groups
are still working out details, such as how long the rope should be, what kind
of floaters to use and whether to use a harpoon gun or a spearhead gun. He said
that the guidelines that have to be met are also part of the delay, something
that is not in the Inuit culture.
Igloolik HTO members were
in Hall Beach this month to meet with the members of that communitys HTO.
They have also been teleconferencing with each other. The Hall Beach HTO members
have been in Igloolik for meetings, and they have been busy faxing each other
on decisions being made.
Awa also said that community
members are asking "Are we going bowhead hunting?" and some of them
cannot wait for the event. He said that the excitement of the community is a
sign that everyone is supportive to the point that they might even go to Kangiq.
Kangiq is between Igloolik and Hall Beach, where hunters will be camped for
the hunt.
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