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| Great White North |
| That's 'Iqaluit', Not 'Iqualuit' |
| 2009-08-19 |
| Prime Minister Stephen Harper got a lesson in Nunavut political landmines after he downed his first helping of seal meat and his office inadvertently referred to people with unwiped bottoms instead of Nunavut’s capital. A slip of the keyboard led the prime minister’s office to issue press releases Monday referring to Nunavut’s capital as Iqualuit — rather than Iqaluit. In Inuktitut, Iqaluit means “many fishes.” Refer to Iqualuit, however, and local residents turn red, giggle and point out that it is a derogatory term that means “people with unwiped bums.” The political landmines continued Tuesday when Harper decided to taste a local delicacy — seal meat. Eating seal meat became a political statement earlier this year when Governor General Michaelle Jean made headlines around the world after eating the heart of a freshly killed seal. Harper appeared reluctant to go as far as Jean and try his first taste of seal in front of reporters with cameras rolling. Instead, Harper and a handful of cabinet members posed for a picture taken by his staff photographer and later released to the media. Noticeably absent from the photo was Transport Minister John Baird, a confirmed vegetarian. Officials said Harper really enjoyed eating seal meat and is looking forward to having it again. Harper may not be the only person to taste seal meat for the first time before his trip is over, said one official. “The Prime Minister wants members of the press to have a chance to experience seal before they leave.” |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |