GG eats raw seal heart to stand by Inuit
I don’t know about this…. I have great respect for the aboriginal people. But the entire seal hunt thing always upsets my stomach… and now this… @@
Governor General Michaelle Jean, middle left, eats arctic char with her husband Jean-Daniel Lafond as they take part in a community feast in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on Monday May 25, 2009. (CP)
Governor General Michaelle Jean eats the heart of a seal during a community feast in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on Monday May 25, 2009. (CP)
Governor General Michaelle Jean, middle, uses an ulu to skin a seal during a community feast in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut on Monday May 25, 2009. (CP)
680 News – It may have meant to be a sign of solidarity with Canada’s Inuit people or possibly a slap in the face of the European Union after it recently voted to ban seal products.
Whatever her motivation, Governor General Michaelle Jean is certainly being talked about this morning after she gutted a freshly slaughtered seal, cut out the heart, took off a slice and ate it raw. It was it was definitely graphic, even stomach churning, but was it justified? Jean says yes.
On the Governor General’s final official visit to the Arctic, she used a traditional blade to repeatedly cut into a freshly slaughtered seal, then turned to the woman beside her and asked her, “Could I try the heart”? And then she did.
When it was over, the Governor General wiped her bloody fingers with a tissue, saying it is difficult to believe anyone would characterize the traditional hunting practices as inhumane.
The story is getting a lot of attention in Toronto and opinions are varied.
One man told 680News, “It doesn’t sit comfortably with me, it’s not something I would do. However I can see how symbolic it is.”
Another man said, “She represents all of Canada so this could look like something the whole country supports.”
According to Jean, it was meant to show support for Canada’s seal hunters. Michaelle Jean is the Queen’s representative in this country, but her statement may not go over so well in Europe.
It was earlier this month that the European Union called the seal hunt “inherently inhumane”, voting to ban seal products. The ban is expected to take effect in October.
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Is it any worse than skinning dogs and eating them?
If everyone acted with the same respect and admiration for wildlife as Canada’s native people, this world would a much more humane place. Mass production of cattle, chickens, pigs etc. has a much deeper impact than native people eating and selling seal hides.
you said…”I have great respect for the Indian people”…
well then at least get the terms right,i.e Not “indian” …and in this particular case definitly not “indian” Inuit is the correct designator.One respects other people(s) by referring to them by the term they themselves use.
Also you said stomach churning ??? why because the meat did not come wrapped up and pre-packaged ? In fact if more people had real & meaningful connection to their food supplies(kinda like the Inuit) and had to butcher their own meat,perhaps there would be more respect for food,the environment etc etc…again kinda like the Inuit people and indigenous peoples in general.
Anyway didn’t mean to come across as self righteous or anything like that,but I felt these were points that needed correcting
dirk: you’re right. i should have been more cautious in choosing my words thx for pointing out