Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today we are having a theme day on the value of the natural resource of caribou in our territory. Like most wildlife species, there are many factors that affect the populations in nature. Their numbers rise and fall in historical cyclic patterns. Whether in times of plenty or in times of decline, it is always in season to consider treating this precious resource with respect. For many generations, the caribou have been a source of food and hides for garments. In this day and age, I think it would still be respectful to think of every way possible that value could be derived from these creatures. When hunted for meat, many hides and racks of antlers are left with the animals that are hunted. Fewer and fewer people are willing or have the knowledge to process the hides with traditional tanning methods.
I know that caribou are a way of life for aboriginal people. We don't have to visit very many homes in the small community and you will see caribou ribs on the stove boiling and you will see caribou slabs drying and hanging on racks in the kitchen drying for dry meat. But, Mr. Speaker, I think it is time to consider some value-added aspects of the caribou, including value to hunters for the hides that could be traditionally or commercially tanned. Hides can be processed with hair on or hair off. There are many uses for such hides. In the past, the government conducted a pilot project associated with the muskox harvest that saw value realized from the hair made into beautiful garments, commercially processing the hides which produced unique material for garments and furniture upholstery. Why not the same available for caribou hides so that harvesters can have their hunting costs offset through the value of the hides? There would also be economy created in the commercial tanning process. Caribou hair is also dyed or left natural for tufting in works of art such as that we see decorating birch bark baskets, garments and framed art. Then there are the beautiful items created by the antlers either left in their natural state or sawn up to make all types of jewellery and accessories.
I believe this government has a role to play in organizing and creating opportunities for the many value-added opportunities that would create an incentive for every and
all parts of the caribou to be used. To do less is to waste this valuable resource and what it has to offer and to deprive those involved in the harvest for realizing as much economic value from these creatures as possible. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause