BQCMBPowerPoint

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board: 

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board Photo by Doug Heard

Canada’s barren-ground caribou: 

Canada’s barren-ground caribou In the harsh Arctic and Sub-Arctic environment, Aboriginal people hunted and fished to survive before contact with Europeans Food, clothing, shelter and materials for tools all come from caribou

Nutritious, affordable caribou meat: 

Nutritious, affordable caribou meat Caribou has all essential vitamins except Vitamin D Caribou is cheaper than foods imported from southern Canada

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq barren-ground caribou herds: 

The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq barren-ground caribou herds Qamanirjuaq herd: 496,000 caribou (1994) Beverly herd: 276,000 caribou (1994) Photo by Deb Johnson

The value of the herds: 

The value of the herds More than 13,000 Aboriginal people live in 20 communities on the caribou ranges Dene, Inuit, Métis and Cree Resident caribou harvest worth at least $17 million per year Meat processing, outfitting greatly boosts economic value of the herds

The BQCMB: 

The BQCMB Safeguards herds for traditional users of caribou, and for others Majority of board members are Aboriginal, representing northern communities and Aboriginal organizations Core funding from five governments (Canada, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the NWT and Nunavut) Established through Caribou Management Agreement in 1982; currently in third term (to 2012)

Success of the BQCMB: 

Success of the BQCMB A convenient, single interjurisdictional forum Governments follow many recommendations of this advisory board Long-serving members contribute to common goals, strong team spirit

Co-management: both sides learn: 

Co-management: both sides learn

Born from a perceived crisis: 

Born from a perceived crisis Late 1970s: governments thought caribou herds were in serious decline Aboriginal people believed caribou had simply moved to another area, based on their observations

Confrontation and, eventually, co-operation: 

Confrontation and, eventually, co-operation Indiscriminate slaughter of caribou made international headlines INAC persuaded Aboriginal groups, governments to unite on joint management board Subsequent surveys found caribou populations much higher

The BQCMB’s responsibilities: 

The BQCMB’s responsibilities Monitoring caribou habitat Identifying research needs and supporting research Compiling information about herds Making recommendations on management and conservation of caribou and their habitats Information programs (website, newsletter) * BQCMB’s core funding is less than it was 20 years ago

Goals – 1: 

Goals – 1 Manage herds co-operatively, involving communities and governments, and based on local, traditional and scientific knowledge Co-operate with other management groups Increase knowledge of ecology Encourage wise use Strengthen public support for caribou conservation

Goals – 2: 

Goals – 2 Take management action to conserve herds Monitor population status and trend Identify seasonal ranges and range conditions Maintain sufficient high-quality habitat Protect caribou and habitat from human disturbance Photo by Anne Kendrick

A management plan:principles for caribou conservation: 

A management plan: principles for caribou conservation Communities as full participants in caribou management Integrating local and traditional ecological knowledge with western science Aboriginal people must receive full support to be involved in the design and implementation of studies and programs Management decisions must follow precautionary principle and principles of sustainable development Maintenance of suitable caribou habitat is essential

Population management: 

Population management

Management strategies: 

Management strategies Photo by Mitch Campbell

Population surveys: 

Population surveys Shifts in herd size and distribution are natural, but human activity could speed up a decline Government funding cuts mean fewer costly surveys Last population surveys for Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds in 1994

Satellite collars: 

Satellite collars Governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories require satellite collars on some caribou before doing population surveys Some Dene elders in northern Saskatchewan oppose satellite collars BQCMB is searching for alternatives

Achievements: recommendations: 

Achievements: recommendations Established Categories of Priority Use Traditional users - domestic use Residential users - domestic use Traditional/residential users - guiding non-residents Commercial, local sales of meat Commercial, export sales

Achievements: calving grounds and other important habitats: 

Achievements: calving grounds and other important habitats recommends improvements for caribou and habitat protection explains why action must be started soon to develop a system of long-term protection for these two caribou herds outlines why it is especially important to protect calving and post-calving areas concludes that governments aren’t doing enough to protect these caribou herds and their habitats Protecting Calving Grounds, Post-Calving Areas and Other Important Habitats for Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou (by the BQCMB):

Achievements: communication: 

Achievements: communication

Achievements: education: 

Achievements: education

Achievements: public relations: 

Achievements: public relations

Achievements: reports/studies: 

Achievements: reports/studies

Rapid change in northern Canada: 

Rapid change in northern Canada Canada’s North a geologically rich, unexplored frontier Settlement of land claims and the creation of Nunavut have improved conditions for mineral exploration Climate change, at the same time, is quickly altering the landscape Photo by Deb Johnson

Mining: 

Mining Northerners want to balance economic development with conservation Disturbance to calving grounds affects the survival of caribou more than anything else Prospecting permits have been issued across the Kivalliq Region (except for Thelon Game Sanctuary) Courtesy of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Exploration abounds: 

Exploration abounds Copper and nickel advanced exploration at Ferguson Lake Diamond kimberlite exploration by De Beers Canada north of Baker Lake Meliadine gold project north of Rankin Inlet The proposed Meadowbank gold mine north of Baker Lake

Roads: 

Roads Roads can lower the cost of imported goods, but can also bring influx of hunters Example: Athabasca Seasonal Road Road and hydro transmission mega-project from Manitoba to Nunavut proposed Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation

Climate change: 

Climate change Global warming occurring most rapidly in polar regions BQCMB’s Caribou Monitoring Project studies the effects of climate change and industrial development Community-based monitoring pilot project interviewed hunters and elders for their observations out on the land

Young faces and new ideas: 

Young faces and new ideas Improved trust and respect among different Aboriginal and government groups has been the BQCMB’s crowning achievement Now, the BQCMB is working to bring youth representatives on-board to ensure longevity

Securing our future: 

Securing our future To learn more about the BQCMB, please visit www.arctic-caribou.com Artwork by Roberta Augier