~ OUR MISSION ~
To ensure the long-term conservation of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq caribou herds for Indigenous communities who wish to maintain a lifestyle that includes the use of caribou, as well as for all Canadians and people of other nations.
The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) is a co-management board established to safeguard two herds of barren‐ground caribou – the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq herds - for present and future generations. Created in 1982, the BQCMB was the first caribou co-management board in North America. The Board provides a way to deal with the multi‐jurisdictional nature of the caribou herds and the multiple cultures of the people who depend on them while including Indigenous peoples in decision‐making processes.
The Board’s strength results primarily from the cooperative relationships built over 40 years among individuals representing various Indigenous groups, communities, and government agencies, and their willingness to work together toward a common goal.
Next Board Meeting
The BQCMB meets twice a year, usually in May and November.
The next meeting will take place December 3-5, 2024 in Saskatoon, SK.
Appropriately, since the main purpose of the board is to safeguard the caribou herds in the interest of Indigenous people who have traditionally relied upon caribou, the majority of board members represent Indigenous communities. All Board members live in northern Canada.
The BQCMB Board consists of eight community members from the following regions: Kivalliq, Nunavut; southern Northwest Territories (NWT); northern Saskatchewan; and northern Manitoba. Five members represent the governments of Canada, Nunavut, NWT, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
The Board is administered by a part-time executive director who is assisted by other professionals with specific areas of expertise as needed.
The Board is governed by the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Barren Ground Caribou Management Agreement.