Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo wears sealskin tie to the White House

Fisheries Minister Hunter Tootoo wore a sealskin bow tie to a state dinner at theWhite House last night, even though bringingsealskins into the U.S. has been illegal since 1972.

The U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act bans the import of sealskins, afact thatcame as a surprise last year to one Labradorwomanwho had her sealskin purse confiscated at the U.S. border.

Although Tootoo's bow tie, and a sealskin neck tie he wore earlier in the day,mayhave appeared like an act of resistance, it was not illegal.The law includes an exemption for indigenous people,and Tootoo has the appropriate documentation with him, according to his staff.

"Everyone who knows me also knows that I wear sealskin ties pretty much all the time, and I did so this week in Washington," Tootoo said in a statement.

"My collection of ties reflects my heritage that I am proud to display wherever I might be and that included when meeting the president."

Sealskin neck ties, bow ties and vests are normal attire forNunavutpoliticians.Tootoowore all three regularly in theNunavutLegislature where he served asa memberfrom1999 to2013.

Inuit in Nunavut and elsewhere have decried the U.S. sealskin baneven with the indigenous exemption sayingit unfairly vilifiesthe seal hunt and threatens the Nunavut economy.

Tootoo'sfashion choice was immediately notedonline. Many were supportive.

Others were less enthusiastic.

Tootoo appeared unapologetic, tweeting this image of himself with U.S. President Barack Obama Friday morning.

Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Canada's national Inuit organization,appeared similarly unconcerned.