Produce is difficult to obtain on St. Lawrence and costs money.  Very few jobs on the island so the ability to sell ivory pieces help pay for store bought (fancy foods) and other basic bills.  This isn't about the elephants or the rhinos, its about today's indigenous people's ability to earn a small amount of spending money from walrus ivory.  The walrus will be harvested and eaten either way so a ban on this ivory isn't productive. By the way, those small earrings might fetch the carver $10-$20.  Not sure what the gift shop will charge you.  Most carvers would be happy to put a few extra dollars in their pocket by selling to you directly.