Three hunters are trying to make amends for causing an outcry after they killed a rare albino moose considered sacred by the indigenous Mi'kmaq people.
The hunters, who have not been named, shot the animal in the Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia in Canada during a recent trip to the area.
They claim they did not realise that their trophy would spark outrage among the Mi'kmaq, who believe albino creatures to be 'spirit' animals.
Their calamitous error was spotted by Jim Hnatiuks, when the trio brought the carcass of the dead creature into his hunting and taxidermy store in Lantz for it to be mounted.
He said: 'The hunters are saying "we wouldn’t have shot the moose if we had known it meant that much."
'They thought they had a successful moose hunt. It was odd that they shot a white moose, but to find out "wow", there’s a lot more behind it.'
Mr Hnatiuks insisted the hunters were unaware of the implications of killing the rare Spirit Moose.
First Nation communities voiced their anger after photos of the hunters posing with the moose appeared on social media.
Mr Hnatiuks is now acting on behalf of the hunters to ensure the moose is disposed of in a manner considered respectful by the Mi'kmaq.
They are returning the hide so the Mi’kmaq can perform a sacred ceremony.
Chief Bob Gloade, of the Millbrook First Nation, said: 'We’ve received full cooperation from the hunters and from Mr Hnatiuks as well and, during the ceremonies next week, they’re actually willing to participate.
'It shows a willingness to cooperate and an ability to show respect to not only the Mi’kmaq people but also to the culture and history.'
While it is not illegal to shoot a white moose during the hunting season the Mi'kmaq believe it breaks an unwritten rule surrounding a cultural belief held by them for generations.
Mr Gloade said the only protection open for the sacred animals is tradition, but he is hoping for legislation to protect spirit animals from being hunted.
He added: 'To recognise the importance and significance to the Mi’kmaq people is the next step moving forward and it’s a way of building better relationships between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal community.'
Source
The hunters, who have not been named, shot the animal in the Cape Breton Highlands of Nova Scotia in Canada during a recent trip to the area.
They claim they did not realise that their trophy would spark outrage among the Mi'kmaq, who believe albino creatures to be 'spirit' animals.
Their calamitous error was spotted by Jim Hnatiuks, when the trio brought the carcass of the dead creature into his hunting and taxidermy store in Lantz for it to be mounted.
He said: 'The hunters are saying "we wouldn’t have shot the moose if we had known it meant that much."
'They thought they had a successful moose hunt. It was odd that they shot a white moose, but to find out "wow", there’s a lot more behind it.'
Mr Hnatiuks insisted the hunters were unaware of the implications of killing the rare Spirit Moose.
First Nation communities voiced their anger after photos of the hunters posing with the moose appeared on social media.
Mr Hnatiuks is now acting on behalf of the hunters to ensure the moose is disposed of in a manner considered respectful by the Mi'kmaq.
Photo Credit caperbeach
They are returning the hide so the Mi’kmaq can perform a sacred ceremony.
Chief Bob Gloade, of the Millbrook First Nation, said: 'We’ve received full cooperation from the hunters and from Mr Hnatiuks as well and, during the ceremonies next week, they’re actually willing to participate.
'It shows a willingness to cooperate and an ability to show respect to not only the Mi’kmaq people but also to the culture and history.'
While it is not illegal to shoot a white moose during the hunting season the Mi'kmaq believe it breaks an unwritten rule surrounding a cultural belief held by them for generations.
Mr Gloade said the only protection open for the sacred animals is tradition, but he is hoping for legislation to protect spirit animals from being hunted.
He added: 'To recognise the importance and significance to the Mi’kmaq people is the next step moving forward and it’s a way of building better relationships between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal community.'
Source
by killing any animal, hunters desecrate our earth mother.
shame on those sorry suckas :(
Glad they are willing to participate and apologize, it shows they may not be horrible people after all.
how could they NOT know? the are so many movies and stories about this, that even I know and I live in PA
Hunters have a right to kill anything legal. If the hunters didnt know of certain tradions that others have. Its not ignorance. Its just that they didnt know! But they showed the respect for other cultures and respect to the animal. So i congradulate them for it!
Hunters have a right to kill anything legal. If the hunters didnt know of certain tradions that others have. Its not ignorance. Its just that they didnt know! But they showed the respect for other cultures and respect to the animal. So i congradulate them for it!
Stero91 go away.
We respect all animals as our brothers and sister and for us a rare species is revered to our culture and to kill that is like killing one of our own. So for them to participate means at least they are willing to be respectful to our traditions!
ster091, I don't want to be a smart ass but feel I must point out that the definition of ignorance IS not knowing.
All's well that ends well. Glad the hunters are apologizing and taking part in the ceremony
Permits are sold for these hunts. Education regarding local tradition could easily be made part of the process.
fuck your appologise
Killing animals for trophies or for fun is SICK. I so hate the photos of hunters *spits with disgust* posing with dead animals. Are you happy now, bloodspilling monsters?