Course:VANT149/2022/Capstone/Arts/GroupD11
Sustainability Problem: How Inuit People Are Influenced By The Modern Economic Marke
Research question
How has the ban of seal products passed by the European Union affected the economy of Inuit people?
Student researcher names
Ayn Cao, Chloe Odagiri, and Jessica Song
Project proposal summary
Many Inuit people depend on sealskin sales for a livelihood because other job opportunities are limited in Nunavut. This is the way for them to be a part of the Canadian economy.[1] However, animal welfare groups are spreading misinformation that seal hunting is a massive, greedy, and cruel market. The European Union (EU) responded to this complaint by implementing a ban on all kinds of seal products in 2009.[2] Although Inuit people got the exemption from this law, it had a negative impact on the reputation of seal hunting and reduced the sales of seal products, leaving the Inuit community unable to afford livelihood.[3] The EU and animal welfare groups say that Inuit people would not be affected since the law allows them to hunt seals for personal use, but they failed to understand that what the Inuit community needs is the opportunity to participate in the commercial market. As an alternative to seal hunting, the Canadian government urged Inuit people to work for seismic testing which explores underwater oil and gas resources in the Arctic Ocean. However, the testing involves underwater explosions and harms the hearing of marine animals. This is unsustainable and destructive, contradictory to the effort to protect the welfare of seals.[4] To summarize, the ban represents the lack of understanding towards Inuit people's life and economy, and they are greatly affected by this policy. However, not enough researchers studied exactly in what aspect they are affected or suggested solutions to this problem. We also need to reflect actual opinions of Inuit people about this matter. One of the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals is leaving no one behind.[5] True sustainability cannot be achieved when the voices of Inuit people are not heard and their needs are ignored. To inform non-Inuit people about the importance of seal hunting as an economic opportunity and how the ban of seal hunting is affecting the Iuit community, we argue it is important to get their insights by conducting interviews.
- ↑ Arnaquq-Baril, A., Thompson, B., Moore, B., Cross, D., Christensen, D., NFB Campus Collection, Unikkaat Studios Inc. (Iqaluit), & National Film Board of Canada (Montreal). (2016). Angry Inuk. National Film Board of Canada.
- ↑ European Commission (n.d.). Trade in seal products. Retrieved June 19, 2022, from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/biodiversity/animal_welfare/seals/seal_hunting.htm
- ↑ Kristie O’Neill. (2018). Traditional beneficiaries: Trade bans, exemptions, and morality embodied in diets. Agriculture and Human Values, 35(2), 515-527. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10460-017-9846-0
- ↑ Arnaquq-Baril, A., Thompson, B., Moore, B., Cross, D., Christensen, D., NFB Campus Collection, Unikkaat Studios Inc. (Iqaluit), & National Film Board of Canada (Montreal). (2016). Angry Inuk. National Film Board of Canada.
- ↑ United Nations. (n.d.). UNSDG | Leave No One Behind. Retrieved June 19, 2022, from https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind