Tåîchô Government Response to Bathurst Caribou Decline Kerri Garner December 5, 2009

Effective Date August 4, 2005

Map goes here Tåîchô Lands – overlaps with Bathurst herd’s fall to late summer range

The Tåîchô Agreement recognizes the importance of wildlife and its habitat to the Tåîchô First Nation well-being, way of life and land-based economy. The Tåîchô Agreement recognizes the importance of wildlife and its habitat to the Tåîchô First Nation well-being, way of life and land-based economy.

The Tåîchô Agreement establishes the Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board. The Tåîchô Agreement establishes the Wek’èezhìi Renewable Resources Board. WRRB is an institution of public government, to perform the functions of wildlife management in Wek’èezhìi’. The Board shall act in the public interest WRRB is an institution of public government, to perform the functions of wildlife management in Wek’èezhìi’. The Board shall act in the public interest

TG worked with ENR to develop a joint recovery and management proposal. TG worked with ENR to develop a joint recovery and management proposal. The Tåîchô Assembly held a workshop to review the joint proposal and a regional workshop was held to allow Tåîchô elders and harvesters to provide input into the proposal The Tåîchô Assembly held a workshop to review the joint proposal and a regional workshop was held to allow Tåîchô elders and harvesters to provide input into the proposal The Tåîchô Assembly approved the final draft. Joint proposal was submitted to WRRB with some TG and ENR recommendations differing. The Tåîchô Assembly approved the final draft. Joint proposal was submitted to WRRB with some TG and ENR recommendations differing.

Elders Perspective: Loss of Respect Knowledge is a sign of respecting the caribou…this has been lost by many and needs to be reestablished in order for the caribou to return to us Knowledge is a sign of respecting the caribou…this has been lost by many and needs to be reestablished in order for the caribou to return to us

Lack of Knowledge… Lack of Knowledge… Decline in Caribou population Decline in Caribou population Changes to distribution Changes to distribution Dysfunctional society Dysfunctional society

Nàowo governing Caribou Use and storage of caribou meat, hide and bones Use and storage of caribou meat, hide and bones What is not used What is not used Laws governing female behaviour Laws governing female behaviour – Young girls behaviour – Hunter’s wife behaviour – Women’s beaviour during – menstruation

Laws governing hunter’s behaviour Laws governing hunter’s behaviour – Stalking caribou – Butchering caribou Nàowo governing Caribou

All Laws that govern behaviour are associated with respect, demonstrated through knowing caribou All Laws that govern behaviour are associated with respect, demonstrated through knowing caribou Nàowo governing Caribou

No more meat wastage No more meat wastage No butchering near the road No butchering near the road Harvest particular animals at correct time Harvest particular animals at correct time Shoot only what you need Shoot only what you need Dispose of bones properly Dispose of bones properly Blood beliefs Blood beliefs

Co-Management In the spirit of co-management, the Tåîchô Government and ENR have been working together towards a solution to the population decline of the caribou – taking commitment and trust on both sides. In the spirit of co-management, the Tåîchô Government and ENR have been working together towards a solution to the population decline of the caribou – taking commitment and trust on both sides.

Timeline End of October – Joint Proposal Submitted End of October – Joint Proposal Submitted January/February – WRRB reviews and Public Hearing January/February – WRRB reviews and Public Hearing February/March – WRRB will make management recommendations February/March – WRRB will make management recommendations

Co-Management Through Partnership - Listening and Respecting the Past, Utilizing Knowledge and Scientific data of the Present… For the Sustainable Future of the Bathurst Herd and all those who depend upon it

MASI CHO!