February 28, 2021

NunatuKavut Community Council condemns killing of endangered caribou

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, LABRADOR, February 28, 2021 – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement about reports of illegal caribou hunting activity in NunatuKavut:

“We are extremely concerned and disappointed to hear about recent illegal caribou hunting in our territory in southern Labrador. The caribou are most likely part of the Joir River Herd, which is currently listed as a threatened species under federal and provincial legislation. NCC is closely monitoring this situation and have been working with provincial authorities to share pertinent information. We condemn the killing of these endangered caribou and strongly encourage provincial and federal enforcement agencies to do all that is within their power to ensure protection of the herd.

NCC has been observing the Boreal Caribou herds over the past number of years, whose habitat is within NunatuKavut. We put in place a community-driven moratorium on the hunting of caribou a number of years ago. It encourages our people to avoid harvesting until further recovery efforts are undertaken and we see consistent signs of improvement in the health of the herds. In our view, there are no legitimate grounds for the taking of these animals at this time.

NunatuKavut Inuit have always had a fundamentally important relationship with caribou and our approach has been one of respect. We have a responsibility as Inuit, as do other Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, to do all we can to protect the caribou and their habitat. This is necessary so that future generations can know about caribou and to always have it be part of our culture.”

Media Contact

Kelly Broomfield
Director of Communications, NCC
709-280-5965