N.W.T. aboriginal leaders call on Nunavut to restrict caribou harvest

Representatives from the Tlicho government and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation say the Nunavut government needs to end commercial harvesting of the rapidly declining Bathurst and Bluenose caribou herds.

"It's just not fair for this side of the border," says Whati Chief Alfonz Nitsiza.

Population surveys done in June and July show the Bathurst caribou herd dropped to between 16,000 and 22,000 animals this year from 32,000 in 2012. The Bluenose-East herd has declined to between 35,000 and 40,000 this year from about 68,000 in 2013.

The Northwest Territories has placed hunting restrictions on the two herds. The N.W.T. has a total harvest ban on the Bathurst herd, save for a 15-animal harvest set aside for First Nations' ceremonial use, and a 1,800 animal harvest for the Bluenose-East herd divided among aboriginal groups.

There is currently no ban or quota in place for either herd in Nunavut.

​Behchoko chief Clifford Daniels says he recently heard from a member of his First Nation that a plane load of caribou antlers were being unloaded at a float base in Yellowknife. He suspects the cargo was from a sport hunting expedition into Nunavut.

"We were saying 'It can't be. How?' Because it's closed for the outfitters," he said.

"That's how we got to know that there's nothing really being done on the other side."

Edward Sangris, chief of Dettah, says the territorial governments need to do more.

"I think the government of the N.W.T. is not doing enough to say to the Nunavut government, 'This is the problem we're experiencing, what can you do to help?'"

No one was available to comment from the Government of Nunavut but in an email to CBC, an official confirmed there are currently no hunting limits for the Bathurst and Bluenose East herds in that territory.

An GNWT official says the two governments are in talks about the caribou harvest.