Mixed emotions for Labrador Inuit 5 years into caribou hunting ban

The George River caribou hunting ban brings out a mix of emotions for Labrador Inuit.

Beneficiaries haven't been able to practise an important part of their culture for fiveyears. Many peopledeeply miss eating caribou in aregionwhere buying food comes at a great expense.

The provincebanned the hunting of George River caribou in 2013 after census numbers showed a steep decline in the herd. It numbered some 800,000 animals in the early 1990s.

Scientists say there are fewer than 9,000 George River caribou left.

But there's another side to this story.

Some Labrador Inuit say they respect the ban in hopes of conservingthe herd for future generations. Others aren't as optimistic, and want to hunt the herd before as they believe will happen it disappears altogether.

Mostwould agree the future of the George River caribou herd is uncertain.

Here are photosof Labrador Inuit reflecting on life before and after the ban.