Have a heart

It was one small nibble for the Governor General, but a big bite into the ongoing debate over Canada's seal hunt.

Last week, Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean visited Nunavut to help celebrate the territory's 10th anniversary. While there, she took part in a community festival that saw her slice into and eat a small piece of raw seal heart.

This show of support for Inuit hunters sent an important message, not only to her fellow Canadians, but also to people around the world.

Firstly, it was a polite way to share in - and show respect for - Inuit culture. Gov. Gen. Jean is herself an immigrant to this country, and this sharing in a traditional ceremony was an important way to connect with this country's first inhabitants.

Earlier this month, the European Union voted to ban the importation of seal products. While Canadian Inuit hunters have limited exemptions from the trade ban, the Governor General's actions clearly showed the world that seals are harvested for more than just their skins - people actually do consume seal meat.

Of course, this comes as no surprise to many people in this province, who grew up with and continue to consume seal products. But the idea that seals are harvested for their skins alone is a persistent myth throughout the world - and this single act helped to set straight the facts.

Regardless, many animal rights groups and EU members have criticized Gov. Gen. Jean's actions. Some even went so far as to say her actions were indicative of barbaric and crude ways of life in Canada.

Perhaps somebody should remind the Europeans and animal rights activists about the dwindling fish stocks in the North Atlantic. While fish may not be as photogenic as their flippered comrades, they are in far worse shape than the seal population, thanks to decades of foreign over fishing. And to cry out about one species while not caring about another doesn't seem very civilized, does it?

The Governor's General's actions might only be symbolic and mightn't do much for the plight of sealers in this province or elsewhere in the country. But if nothing else, she has helped to show respect for and shed some light on Canadians who harvest and consume seal products.

And for those of us who are wondering about her seal eating experience, the Governor General had this to say: "It's like sushi."