Title: The Inuit commercial caribou harvest and related agri-food industries in Nunavut

Authors: Aldene Meis Mason, Leo-Paul Dana, Robert Anderson

Addresses: Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. ' Faculty of Management, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. ' Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract: The commercial caribou harvesting and related agri-food processing industries in Nunavut have grown global since 1995. These industries have a significant impact on Nunavut|s GDP, add key infrastructure, and foster self-reliance and employment for Inuit people in Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour. The caribou hunt occurs once per year and is the largest in the world. This case focuses on Kivalliq Arctic Foods and Coral Harbour Development Corporation and the local harvesting and processing of Nunavut|s caribou meat products. Kivalliq|s caribou meat products are exported to clients in the USA as well as the European Union. Both Kivalliq|s processing plant and Coral Harbour|s portable abattoir have received European Union Certification. The case discusses how the companies used quality assurance, aboriginal branding, e-commerce, and international trade shows to overcome barriers resulting from their northern isolation.

Keywords: indigenous entrepreneurship; economic development; community development; sustainable development; Arctic; caribou harvesting; northern Canada; Inuit; commercial caribou; sustainability; agri-food processing; agriculture; caribou meat products; quality assurance; aboriginal branding; e-commerce; electronic commerce; international trade.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2007.014982

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2007 Vol.4 No.6, pp.785 - 806

Published online: 30 Aug 2007 *

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