Canadian Icon: The Seal Hunt

No not that Seal. We don't hunt soft rock singers in Canada...yet.

We now present our third in an occasional series that highlights the people, places and things that define Canada. Our nation was only founded in 1867 so many of our Icons predate our glorious independence. Today we look at an icon that is one of our oldest and also one of our most controversial...The Seal Hunt.

The Seal Hunt is known by many names. It can be called the Seal Slaughter, the Seal Cull or the most horrific thing humans can do to the cutest rascals around. It's origins are unknown, but legends persist that the Inuit rewarded the males in the tribe who would kill the most adorable critter they could find. They also needed fur clothing because it was damn cold up there. The animal that solved both issues was the seal.

Hey Little Buddy. You're about to get beaten in the head.

When Europeans landed on these shores starting with John Cabot in 1497 they quickly looked for resources they could exploit. Africa already being known for it's exportable humans, North America became known as the land where vain Europeans could acquire the materials to create garments from the most darling animals around. Fashion Houses in Paris and Milan were filled with clothes made from beavers, bears and most charmingly the seal. The Royal Houses of Europe and their assorted hangers on became the biggest customers and their subjects wanting to have some of that royal mystique followed them. Much like the lemmings which also were a prized commodity.

We flash forward to the 20th century. Modern Science has created wonder materials to keep us warm and in style. Celebrities needing the least controversial issue to make a stand choose the seal hunt. Fallen idols like Brigitte Bardot and Paul McCartney force the issue on to the back pages of newspapers as they visit Canada and assure coverage by getting pictures with the cuddly Seals.


You call this brutal? Call me after you've seen how parents act at a peewee hockey game.

An issue so controversial and nuanced can't be fully tackled in a forum such as this. Briefly though the Seal Hunt provides jobs to Newfoundland, the Arkansas of Canada and protects other species from overpopulated seals destroying their needs. Others wonder why a less attractive animal couldn't be beaten over the head horribly. Still more think that it gives Canada a much needed edge. Without the Seal Hunt we would be America's forgotten slow brother living in the attic. It's the leather jacket makeover to a geek.

This is what makes the Seal Hunt....A Canadian Icon.

Canadian Icon: Bill Wennington

The move that defined a career. Fouling a player better then him . Bill with Dikembe Mutombo courtesy of JAMD

Our latest in our series of people, places and things that have defined Canadian history. Today we look at the career of one of the players who changed the course of NBA History. A born champion who was one of the 15 most important players in the Chicago Bulls second three peat. A valued member of the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame. His name .... Bill Wennington.

Bill was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1963. From an early age observers noted that this boy was destined for greatness on the basketball court. His skill...he was crazy tall and he knew how to foul. Bill dominated the playgrounds of Montreal as the other kids played while smoking DuMauriers and wearing skates.

As all Canadians destined for greatness, Bill moved to the United States to attend high school and later St John's University in New York City. As a member of the Redman, Bill made it to the NCAA Final Four. Alumni still recall the epic practices where his teammates could be heard to extol his skills. A day wouldn't go by without cries of "Pass me the ball you gangly fuck", "Why did you shoot that asshole?", or most famously “Get me a clean towel this time Beef”. His nickname Beef Wennington would stick to this day.

Bill was taken in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. From 1985 - 1990 his emerging talent could not be contained. His points per game went from 3.4 in the 85/86 season with Dallas to 5.7 in 89/90 with Sacramento. Criminally left off the All Star team during this period Bill traveled to Italy where he spent 2 years playing for Bologna and take revenge on even ganglier tall white guys. A 2 year period that inspired a generation of European children to pick up a basketball.

Bill returned to the NBA in 1993 with the Chicago Bulls. Wennington was the only player with the talent and name recognition to replace Michael Jordan on the team. Jordan had recently retired to avoid paying his gambling debts. The 1993/94 season would turn Bill from Star to Legend. His average of 7.1 points and 2.8 fouls a game made the Chicago faithful forget about Michael Jordan and the game of basketball. The Cubs and Bears set attendance records that year.

His gambling debts repayed, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995. Bill a consummate teammate surrendered the leadership of the team to "Air" to avoid strife. Along with Luc Longley he watched Jordan score, Pippen score and Rodman rebound while he fouled a succession of the greatest centers in NBA History. Shaq, Hakeem and Ostertag were all fouled in his quest. His reward was 3 championships but a question mark remains eternally unanswered. How great could he have been?

Bill retired in 2000. His legacy lives on in the new generation of tall white guys who can foul. Not since James Naismith hung a peach basket in a Springfield Massachusetts YMCA has a Canadian had such an effect on the game of hoops.

William ("Bill") Percey Wennington, Canadian Icon.