The Mcleod Lake Indian Band is calling on the provincial government to cancel the Calf Moose Hunt planned this fall that is scheduled to take part in areas of MLIB traditional territory.
Up to 100 Calves are to be killed during the season as an attempt to aid the recovery of the Southern Mountain Caribou, an animal listed on the Federal Species at Risk Act.
“Their ultimate goal is to have less Moose in the area where there’s Caribou, so fewer predators are attracted to the area,” explained Deputy Chief of MLIB, Jayde Duranleau.
Duranleau says this is an illogical, experimental tactic with no proof of making any impact on aiding Caribou recovery, and it infringes on their cultural practices without their consent.
“We feel we are being forced to accept another colonial process that is detrimental to our self-governance, and our ability to apply our own Indigenous laws and stewardship over our unceded ancestral lands.”
The hunt is expected to take place on about 10% of Mcleod Lake Territory, beginning in October in the Parsnip River Area, which is also home to the Chingee Family Trapline.
“The government also allots these tags in a prime season where Moose are very vulnerable, they’re out on the rut and it’s a prime time for hunters to be out on the land and I think the government knows that and their biologists,” she added.
MLIB has written several letters to BC Ministers urging the government to cancel the hunt and consider other options for aiding the Caribou species.
She adds that the Mcleod Lake Indian Band will continue to work with the government on finding ways to support Caribou recovery, however, they will not allow the province to tell them how things will be done in their territory.
“Those days are done. It’s a new day in McLeod Lake territory and a new day in every other nation’s territories in BC. Enough of this our way or the highway governance.”