Seal skin treatment represents the initial processing stage prior to the tanning process. Acting as middleman between seal hunters and tanners, the Usine de délardage Atshuk meets a need in the North Shore area. Therefore, professional hunters will be able to focus exclusively on their activities without being concerned about the disposition of their products.

During its first year of operation, the Usine de délardage Atshuk anticipates processing a minimum of 500 seal skins to reach more than 10 000 skins by its second year of operation.

Also, the plant will create six to ten new full-time jobs during the two hunting seasons (spring and fall), i.e. an overall period of close to three months per year. Most of these jobs will be held by Aboriginal people.

The implementation of the Usine de délardage Atshuk is carried out in partnership with Tannerie du Nord inc., a company based in the Quebec area. Tannerie du Nord inc. has committed to purchase all seal skins processed at the plant for tanning and sell them on national and international markets. In addition, two employees from Tannerie du Nord will lend their expertise to the Usine de délardage Atshuk, by coordinating the activities and developing the processes during the plant's first year of operation. Specialized in the classification of seal skins, Mr. Mario Chouinard will be responsible for the transfer of knowledge to the future employees of the plant.

The mission of the Regroupement Mamit Innuat, a Tribal Council representing three Innu communities from the Lower and Mid-North Shore, is to manage various programs, such as social or technical services, in addition to supporting the development of its member communities. The Regroupement is supporting the plant's Board of Directors in the implementation of the project. Also, the Regroupement has taken the responsibility to make a business plan and to take steps to find financing sources.

For their part, the neighbouring non-Aboriginal communities will act as leading partners, especially in relation to the procurement of the plant, through the hunters' expertise. In the more or less long term, the momentum created by the project could motivate proponents or other communities in developing further resource processing skills, such as oil, meat, Omega3, collagen, organs, arts and crafts, sewing, etc. The ultimate objective in this approach is to maximize spinoffs derived from the slaughtering of the animal.

The outside assistance of Tannerie du Nord inc., the support of the Regroupement Mamit Innuat and the partnership with various communities will allow for a transfer of knowledge and implementation of a socioeconomic relationship that will be profitable for all.

Seal hunting activities in the Gulf of St.Lawrence sector are carried out in accordance with the rules and quotas granted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Currently, the global demand for seal skins largely exceeds the offer. This trend should continue for the next 15 years and the community of Unamen Shipu has every intention to take advantage of this opportunity to develop a niche of excellence.

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