First Nations defend their land to save sacred caribou

In Canada, the humble caribou does not merely serve as prey for wolves and bears. This deer is tied to the cultural identity of indigenous people. While caribou may be mistaken for reindeer as they belong to the same species, they only live in North America. For centuries, caribou have played an essential role as a source of sustenance, clothing, and traditions for First Nations who have harvested them sustainably. But the species is on the decline as mining, logging, and climate change destroys their environment. Now, the same people who have depended on caribou are ensuring its survival. 

Habitat fragmentation has disrupted the animal’s movements, and the development of roads and pathways has given wolves easier access to hunt caribou. The Klinse-Za herd in British Columbia once had 250 members in the 1990s. But by 2013, there were as few as 38 and the herd was close to extinction. To save the group, West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations joined efforts along with the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. In 2014, they began building maternal pens for pregnant caribou guarded by dedicated individuals to ensure no predator got too close. They have continued to use the pens to increase the population. Once the caribou have given birth and their young have had a few months to develop, they are released back into their habitat. 

Today, the Klinse-Za herd has flourished to over 100 members, a significant start to their recovery. To secure their long-term growth, West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations signed a landmark agreement in 2020 with the British Columbia government to preserve nearly 800 000 hectares of caribou habitat. As indigenous people take the lead on conservation efforts, they are preserving not only the caribou’s place in history, but the ability to pass on their knowledge and culture into the future.

You can contribute to the efforts of West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative here. 

Footage from Caribou Homeland was used in the creation of this film.