Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation's Yúnethé Xá Ɂetthën Hádi (Caribou Stewardship Plan) outlines hunting policies, protocols, and activities to encourage and support respectful hunting practices.
In January 2020, the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation’s Chief and Council formally approved a community-led caribou stewardship plan called Yúnethé Xá Ɂetthën Hádi.Based on extensive community engagement, the foundation of this plan is Łutsël K’é Dënesųłı̨né beliefs, values, and stories shared at “Caribou Talk” meetings held in the community.
One of the key policies in the plan is a self-imposed, two-year moratorium on hunting Bathurst caribou. “Although we do not believe that respectful, subsistence hunting has caused the decline of the caribou herds, we think the Bathurst caribou herd’s population is too low to sustain any harvesting or any more disturbances within their home range,” said Chief Darryl Marlowe. After two years, the First Nation will consider continuing the moratorium based on the best available Indigenous and scientific knowledge.
The Ni Hat’ni Dene Guardians will be monitoring the land, animals, and visitors, including hunters, within Thaidene Nëné and the rest of their homeland. Ni Hat’ni Dene play a critical role in embodying and promoting respectful hunting practices, recording harvest data, and documenting the health of the caribou herds. The local Wildlife, Lands, and Environment Department will also be launching several education and communication initiatives to ensure their members are aware of the policies and protocols in the plan.
