November 27, 2017 – The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) held its 84th meeting in Winnipeg November 14-16, 2017. While Board members from caribou-using communities and members or representatives from governments of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories (NWT), and Manitoba attended, the Board was missing almost half of its members. None of the appointed members or alternate members from Saskatchewan were approved to attend.
However, the BQCMB was encouraged to hear the government of Manitoba’s pledge to work toward reinstating full funding for Board operations via guest speaker and Sustainable Development Deputy Minister Rob Olson. As former president of the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Olson is no stranger to the work of the caribou co-management board. He pledged to do whatever he can to ensure the Board remains strong, stating “Manitoba is only as successful as its Indigenous communities are.”
Similarly, the BQCMB can only be successful as a multi-jurisdictional co-management Board if all government parties contribute funding and support board member participation in BQCMB meetings according to commitments made in the 10-year Caribou Management Agreement that five Ministers signed on behalf of their governments (Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut).
Given the continued decline in the herds, the Board needs support now more than ever. “It is puzzling that we are not on solid footing with all governments,” commented Ernie Bussidor, from Sayisi Dene First Nation in Tadoule Lake, Manitoba. “There is a world-wide awakening in humanity that these resources (caribou) are in trouble.”
“We still have lots of work to do and we need everyone at the table,” added Ross Thompson, BQCMB Executive Director. “Like the caribou, the BQCMB needs a long-term sustainable game plan.”
