HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. — Since there was a hunting ban placed on the George River herd in 2013 many Inuit in Labrador haven’t had an opportunity to eat caribou, a traditional food.
That will change for many Nunatsiavut residents soon, as caribou meat from Nunavut makes its way to community freezers in the five Labrador Inuit communities and Upper Lake Melville.
The Nunatsiavut Government announced Wednesday it has procured about 4,000 kilograms of caribou and 3,000 kilograms of muskox through an arrangement with Kivalliq Arctic Foods in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister Greg Flowers stated in a news release the Nunatsiavut Government began exploring opportunities to secure meat for Labrador Inuit from other herds throughout the country when the ban on hunting caribou of the George River herd was put in place.
“Earlier this year we were successful in our efforts, and in the coming days and weeks many of our people will enjoy a meal of caribou for the first time in years,” Flowers stated. “While Muskox is not one of our traditional country foods, it is extremely healthy to eat and I am sure it will be very much appreciated by beneficiaries.”
The Nunatsiavut Government said the shipment arrived in Happy Valley-Goose Bay late Tuesday evening via a chartered aircraft from Rankin Inlet, and the meat will be distributed in the coming days.
Evan Careen is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Labrador for SaltWire Network
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Twitter: @evancareen
