NR 01-02 POL ENG Polar Bear Case.doc
Iqaluit, Nunavut (January 4, 2001) NTI is pleased with the decision by Justice Kilpatrick of the Nunavut Court of Justice on the case involving polar bear hunting by traditional means. The Judge ruled that the Minister of Sustainable Development’s decision to disallow the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board’s approval of Noah Kadlak’s hunting of a polar bear by use of a spear and dogs constituted an unjustifiable infringement of Inuit rights under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. The decision was accordingly quashed and the matter referred back to the Minister for new consideration.
It is a welcome event for Inuit when the rights acquired through the Land Claims Agreement are upheld by the courts, said Paul Quassa, President of NTI. NTI is pleased with this decision, particularly in its sensitivity to the importance of traditional Inuit hunting practices and skills.
We are working with the NWMB and the Department of Sustainable Development in the creation of a new Wildlife Act, continued Quassa. We are confident that we can move forward with legislation that will be fully supportive of Inuit culture and conservation.
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For further information:
Alan R. Vigoda
Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Iqaluit, NU
Tel: (867) 975-4900
Fax: (867) 975-4943 Paul Irngaut
Executive Liaison & Public Relations Advisor
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.
Iqaluit, NU
Tel: (867) 975-4900
