By paNOW Staff

PAGC questions absence of province at caribou workshop

Jan 24, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The potential extinction of barren ground caribou is being discussed this week at meetings in northern Saskatchewan, but Prince Albert Grand Council’s (PAGC) Executive and Athabasca Denesuline Chiefs are questioning why a provincial regional biologist didn’t show. 

The biologist was scheduled to speak at the Regional Barren Ground Caribou Workshop but pulled out at the last minute. PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte expressed his disappointment.

“Since we are one of the main stakeholders at hand, it was important to have the province attend this meeting in order to share knowledge and listen to the communities who will be most impacted by this change,” he said in a statement.

The leaders, including elders and community members, gathered this week to discuss the potential listing of barren ground caribou as “threatened under the Species at Risk Act.” Specialists from the federal and provincial government, as well as representatives from the Beverly Qaminirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB), were invited to present information.

“The Athabasca Denesuline Chiefs are deeply concerned that there was no explanation given as to why key staff were prevented from attending and providing valuable information,” PAGC Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie said in the same statement. “Without having received any clear answers from them, we strongly believe that this is a step back in efforts of reconciliation with our First Nation communities.”

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The Athabasca Chiefs plan to contact the Government of Saskatchewan’s Minister of Environment to further discuss this matter.

“The Ministry of Environment is committed to continued support for the Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB). The ministry respects the board’s good work, and works collaboratively with the BQCMB,” a spokesperson for the ministry said, adding the province provides the board with a $10,000 grant annually.

Regarding the question of why a representative from the provincial government was not at the meetings, the ministry spokesperson acknowledged there is provincial representation on the board, but said it was determined to be inappropriate for the same individual to represent both the ministry and the board at this specific event. 

“The ministry fully intends to participate in future meetings and discussions regarding the barren-ground caribou going forward,” the spokesperson said. 
 
 

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5:25 p.m. on Jan. 24 to include a statement provided by Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Environment.

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