Shúhta Goɂępę́, the Northern Mountain population (NMP) of woodland caribou was assessed by the Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as a species of special concern in 2002 and was listed as such under the Species at Risk Act in 2005. Section 65 of the Act requires the competent minister to prepare management plans for species of special concern.

The Canadian Wildlife Service (Pacific and Yukon Region, Environment Canada) and Government of Yukon led the development of this management plan in cooperation with all of the jurisdictions that have responsibility for management of lands and wildlife within the range of this population of caribou, and therefore have the jurisdictional mandate to implement the plan. Two territories, one province, more than 30 First Nations and three wildlife management boards were invited to contribute to the development of this plan.

The resulting Northern Mountain Caribou Management Team included a Technical Working Group, Steering Committee and a Co-Chairs committee. The Technical Working Group was formed to collectively draft the management plan and provide guidance, relevant information, and technical support. The Steering Committee assessed the adequacy of the plan in addressing jurisdictional concerns regarding status and management of the Northern Mountain population of woodland caribou. The Co-Chairs committee held meetings and discussions to coordinate activities and achieve tasks as directed by the Steering Committee. Terms of Reference for this process are included in Appendix 1. After the draft plan was completed by the Northern Mountain Caribou Management Team, formal consultations occurred with all governments, boards and agencies within the range of NMP.

This report summarizes information about the Mackenzie Mountain Non-resident and Non-resident Alien Hunter Hunter Harvest for 2017 (publication date 2018), and is one of the series of reports since 1991 referenced in ENR's response to Round 1 Information Requests (19-12-17).

Ross River Dena are partners in the Nı́o Nę P'ęnę́ - Trails of the Mountain Caribou plan developed for the mountain homeland straddling the Tulı́t'a District of the Sahtú region and Yukon Territory. In June 2018, the Ross River Dena Council (RRDC) published a notice to those wishing to hunt in the Ross River Dena area requiring that, "effective August 1st, 2018, any non-Kaska hunter wishing to hunt in our ancestral and unceded lands must first obtain a hunting permit from RRDC." The permit is "subject to our Dena laws" which are decribed in a document provided by the RRDC along with the permit application.

This newsletter provides an overview of the Nío Nę P’ęnę́ Begháré Shúhta Goɂepe ́ Narehɂá – Trails of the Mountain Caribou plan developed by the Nío Nę P’ęnę́ Working Group. Community engagement meetings in Tulı̨́t’a, Norman Wells, and Tu Łidlini (Ross River, Yukon) in 2018 provided great feedback on the first draft of the plan. Ideas and suggestions we heard from Shúhtaot’ı nę, Métis and Tu Łidlini Dena participants were incorporated into a new and improved version of the draft plan that is ready for review by decision-makers. Progress has also been made on finding funding, moving forward with a protected area proposal, and implementing an Indigenous guardian and wellness program.

This brochure provides a brief overview of the Nío Nę P’ęnę̨́ Begháré Shúhta Goɂepę̨́ Narehɂá – Trails of the Mountain Caribou plan. The plan was prepared by a Working Group of Indigenous partners that includes Tu Łidlini (Ross River) Dena, Shúhtaot’ı̨nę, and Métis representatives of the Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı (Sahtú Renewable Resources Board), Norman Wells and Tulı́t’a Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę (Renewable Resources Councils), the Tulı́t’a Dene Band, and the Tu Łidlini (Ross River) Dena Council.

Nío Nę P’ęnę́ Begháré Shúhta Goɂepę́ Narehɂá – Trails of the Mountain Caribou Plan was prepared by the Nı́o Nę P’ęnę́ Working Group, and written from their information by Janet Winbourne, Independent Consultant.

An initial version of this draft plan was prepared in fall 2017 for review and approval by members of the Nío Nę P’ęnę́ Working Group. It was then presented to the leadership and communities of Tu Łidlini (Ross River), Tulı́t'a, and Norman Wells for review. This second version is an updated draft that was revised following the feedback heard at those regional engagements.

The plan describes the need for a plan for the Nı́o Nę P'ęnę́ area, offers a vision for people and shúhta goɂepę́, outlines assets and threats, and proposes programs and strategies as well as a framework for "learning as we go." Development of a land-based Indigenous Guardian and Wellness Program is at the heart of the plan. Harvest regulation is a key feature of Program area 2, Reducing Disturbance of Shúhta Goɂepę́.

In June 2019, at a joint leadership meeting held in Tu Łidlini, a resolution was passed to approve the draft plan. The plan is pending approval by Tulı́t'a, Norman Wells and Tulı́t'a District leaders and should not be distributed or cited without permission. All Indigenous knowledge in the plan is the intellectual property of Shúhta Dene and Métis people. It cannot be used without written consent through the Nı́o Nę P’ęnę́ Working Group. Contact the Working Group Chair, Leon Andrew, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This draft status report prepared by the NWT Species At Risk Committee compiles and analyzes the best available information on the biological status of northern mountain caribou in the NWT, as well as existing and potential threats and positive influences. The report includes both traditional and community knowledge and scientific information about Shúhta Goɂepę́ (Northern Mountain Caribou). The deadline for comments on this document was December 20, 2019.

Please note that the report is a draft, and is not to be cited without permission of the Species at Risk Committee Chairperson. If you have any questions, please contact the Species at Risk Secretariat.