‘A natural thing to do:’ Yukon premier, son shot meat served at premiers dinner

WHITEHORSE — Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski hasn’t only welcomed his colleagues from across Canada this week — he’s fed them as well.

The avid hunter and his son Taylor shot the moose and Dall sheep served to the provincial and territorial leaders at a private dinner Wednesday night.

“I was very proud to be able to share it,” said Pasloski. “The premiers were caught by surprise.”

It’s tradition to have a private dinner for the premiers and their spouses. The shared meal helps build relationships, especially when there are new faces around the table, as there are this year. Brian Pallister of Manitoba and Dwight Ball of Newfoundland and Labrador were both elected in the last year.

Pasloski, who routinely provides wild game for his own family’s table, said he immediately thought about doing the same for his colleagues when he learned about the tradition.

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“We eat a lot of wild meat and I thought it would be a natural thing to do.”

It’s thought to be the first time the premiers have dined on food hunted by one of their own.

Both animals were taken during last year’s hunting season.

Pasloski shot the moose. His son took the sheep — a large enough animal that it is being registered with Boone and Crockett, a North American registry of top big-game animals.

Pasloski said his intent was not only to provide a meal, but food for thought as well.

“As soon as I knew we were doing (the dinner), I just thought it would be an opportunity to show who we are. Hunting is really a rich part of the heritage and culture of the True North.”

— Follow Bob Weber on Twitter at @row1960

Bob Weber, The Canadian Press