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Colville Lake, January 21-23, 2020

The Colville 2020 Public Listening Session is part of a larger five-part Hearing proceeding to answer the question, “What is the most effective way to conserve caribou?” The Colville Session is focused on the topic Sahtú Ragóɂa (Harvest Law) and Approaches to Wildlife Harvesting. Co-hosted by the Colville Lake Renewable Resources Council and the Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı (Sahtú Renewable Resources Board), the Session took place on January 21-23, 2020 in Colville Lake.

Colville Lake’s caribou plan and harvest law, Dehlá Got’ı̨nę Tseduweh ʔəde Ɂahɂah, were available for consideration on October 21. Submissions were invited of other proposals and/or presentations from Sahtú Organisations, governments and the public on the following questions:

1. What is the current status of caribou populations in the Sahtú Region, including ɂedǝ/ɂekwę́ (Bluenose West and Bluenose East barren-ground caribou), shúhtagoɂepę́ (Northern Mountain caribou), and tǫdzı (Boreal Woodland caribou)?
2. What is the most effective way to regulate harvesting of caribou and other wildlife?
3. What are Indigenous systems for Dene béré (country food) security and Dene ts'ı̨lı̨ (ways of life or cultural integrity) in the Sahtú region that promote caribou conservation?
4. How can a community conservation planning approach in the Sahtú region relate to other types of conservation plans and decisions about the same caribou herds in neighbouring regions?

What's Next

The SRRB has extended the deadline for Final Arguments from the Parties and the public to February 12, 2020. The Board plans to deliver the Hearing Report on March 31, 2020. The Minister of NWT Environment and Natural Resources will then have 60 days to submit a response to the Board's decisions.