The provincial government and the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (AWN) of Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help advance caribou recovery in west-central Alberta.
According to a Friday (Feb. 14) news release, the MOU is another important step in the province’s long-term recovery program for Alberta’s woodland caribou, which are listed as a threatened species.
“Caribou recovery takes time, while habitat restoration is one aspect of this, as is predator control, we are working closely with industry and Indigenous partners, exploring other ideas that may have potential,” said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, in a statement. “I respect the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada’s dedication to caribou habitat restoration and look forward to working together on caribou recovery in Alberta.”
Located near Grande Cache, the AWN conducts patrols along Highway 40 during critical times of the year to reduce caribou mortalities by vehicle collision. The Caribou Patrol website describes Highway 40 as “Alberta’s deadliest highway for caribou.”
Caribou populations have declined to fewer than 300 across four herds in the region. In the early 1970s, the AWN voluntarily stopped harvesting caribou, despite having the legal right to do so.
“Our elders say we need to look at the landscape as a whole and speak for the caribou, as they cannot speak for themselves,” said AWN president David MacPhee in a statement. “When I can hunt caribou again, then I’ll know the forest is in balance. AWN hopes this MOU represents a stronger relationship and a renewed commitment to caribou recovery with the Government of Alberta.”
The new agreement calls for returning naturally self-sustaining caribou to areas of importance to the AWN’s territory as well as enhancing the Caribou Patrol program, identifying ways for AWN members to be part of caribou habitat restoration efforts and exploring new ways to enhance caribou recovery in the area.
Over the next few months, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas will work with AWN members to establish a work plan to support these objectives.
Ryan Fournier, press secretary to Minister Schulz, said in an email that there was no funding attached to the MOU since that will be determined after a work plan is formulated.
“We will work with the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada to keep supporting habitat restoration and encouraging caribou recovery in Alberta,” Fournier added.
In the release, the provincial government noted significant efforts have already been made in recent years to support caribou recovery in west-central Alberta, such as more than 1.8 million trees have been planted in the Little Smoky and A La Peche caribou ranges.
