Governor General Michaelle Jean cuts out heart of seal and eats it
Jaime Pulfer 2009-05-26 07:57
It may have meant to be a sign of solidarity with Canada's Inuit people or possibly a slap in the face of the European Union after it recently voted to ban seal products.

Whatever her motivation, Governor General Michaelle Jean is certainly being talked about this morning after she gutted a freshly slaughtered seal, cut out the heart, took off a slice and ate it raw. It was it was definitely graphic, even stomach churning, but was it justified? Jean says yes.

On the Governor General's final official visit to the Arctic, she used a traditional blade to repeatedly cut into a freshly slaughtered seal, then turned to the woman beside her and asked her, "Could I try the heart"? And then she did.

When it was over, the Governor General wiped her bloody fingers with a tissue, saying it is difficult to believe anyone would characterize the traditional hunting practices as inhumane.

The story is getting a lot of attention in Toronto and opinions are varied.

One man told 680News, "It doesn't sit comfortably with me, it's not something I would do. However I can see how symbolic it is."

Another man said, "She represents all of Canada so this could look like something the whole country supports."

According to Jean, it was meant to show support for Canada's seal hunters. Michaelle Jean is the Queen's representative in this country, but her statement may not go over so well in Europe.

It was earlier this month that the European Union called the seal hunt "inherently inhumane", voting to ban seal products. The ban is expected to take effect in October.