Sealing the Future: Analyzing the Impact of Western Influences on Inuit Seal Hunting and Food Sovereignty

Food is political (Kennedy, 2020). From the very act of selecting what we consume or abstain from, we become participants in the complex world of food politics. This notion is encapsulated in a quote often attributed to political scientist Henry Kissinger: “The one who governs the food supply governs the people” (Now This Originals, 2015). Regardless of this quote’s source, it underscores the reality that food, like water, wields substantial influence as a negotiation tool for both individuals and governments, even though the United Nations recognizes water access as a fundamental human right (Dugard et al., 2020; Lima & Costantino, 2021). It reveals that food politics is not solely a global phenomenon, but varies from one country to another, shaped by local factors such as climate, markets, social conditions, and leadership (Paarlberg, 2013; Schanbacher, 2010). The politics of food raises the issue of how the concept of food sovereignty has evolved, with a strong focus on ensuring that people have the right to access healthy, culturally appropriate and sustainable food, while promoting local and family farmer-driven agriculture (Andree et al., 2014). Food sovereignty advocates for a shift away from the traditional food security approach towards a more comprehensive and rights-based framework, which addresses global food justice and the challenges faced by small-scale farmers and marginalized communities (Canfield, 2022; Ritchie, 2016). Food security, as defined by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), involves ensuring all people have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food (Lima & Costantino, 2021). This notion is often framed in terms of the availability, accessibility and utilization of food. However, despite its noble intentions, food security as currently conceptualized often fails to address the underlying issues of inequality and systemic exploitation. The emphasis on economic efficiency and market-oriented agricultural production can undermine local food systems and cultures (Schanbacher, 2010, p. 13), marginalizing small-scale farmers and prioritizing corporate interests over community needs. This approach frequently results in a dependency on imported foods and external inputs, which can exacerbate food insecurity during global market fluctuations or crises (Schanbacher, 2010). The food sovereignty model supports small-scale, sustainable farming practices that are in harmony with local cultures and ecosystems (Bauder & Mueller, 2023). By focusing on community needs and promoting cooperation over competition, food sovereignty aims to preserve biodiversity and ensure long-term food security through self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship and social justice (Andree et al., 2014; Schanbacher, 2010). For Indigenous communities, including the Inuit, the concept of food sovereignty transcends the fundamental right to sustenance; it extends to the shaping of their cultural identity, the cultivation of a sense of belonging, and the preservation of their bond with their native lands (Bauder & Mueller, 2023; Payne et al., 2022). Unlike the farming-focused approach to food sovereignty, the Inuit model emphasizes the right to hunt and gather from the land and sea. The Inuit’s approach to food sovereignty includes a deep respect for the environment. Sustainable hunting practices ensure that animal populations are not depleted, maintaining ecological balance. This stewardship is crucial in the Arctic, where ecosystems are fragile and heavily impacted by climate change (Forde & Maude 2011). Globally, most seal hunters are of Inuit descent, with seal hunting being deeply ingrained in their culture and economic structure (Borrows & Schwartz, 2020). Seals bear substantial cultural and economic significance (Levy, 2020; Offor, 2020), with every part of the animal being used for sustenance and traditional purposes, as documented in films such as Angry Inuk (Arnaquq-Baril, 2016; Sakakibara, 2018) and Canada’s Seal Hunt Controversy: The Politics of Food (Munchies, 2017). Nonetheless, the European Union’s prohibition on commercial seal products has resulted in severe economic repercussions (Krämer, 2012; Sellheim, 2015a), impacting the sociocultural dimensions of Inuit existence (Linzey, 2006). Actions taken by animal rights activists and European Union, driven by moral justifications concerning seal welfare (Sellheim, 2016), have exacerbated the existing tribulations of the Inuit, leading to increased impoverishment and food insecurity, particularly among the younger generation (Kral, 2019; Lougheed, 2010). The European Union ban has been selected as a focal point for the main story line of the graphic novel due to its status as the primary factor influencing Inuit food sovereignty.

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