Over the past several days approximately 45 Quebec Innu hunters have been in Labrador hunting caribou from the endangered Joir River herd. Before the hunt began the herd was estimated at a mere 100 remaining animals. Since entering the area wildlife officials estimate the hunters have killed 40 of those animals and are continuing in their hunt.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government has complained to the Quebec government about a group of Quebec hunters that is apparently killing caribou that belong to a threatened herd in southern Labrador.
The Joir River caribou are protected under both the Provincial Endangered Species Act and the Federal Species at Risk Act.
Conservation officials say the group is using high-powered rifles while firing from their snowmobiles.
Officials have been watching the killing from a helicopter but their attempts to land and end the slaughter have been met with threatening actions by the hunters.
To date neither Quebec, the home Province of the hunters who hail from the Romaine, St. Augustine and Natasquan bands, nor the Federal government has made any move to assist in protecting the animals or putting an end to this illegal hunt slaughter of the last remaining Joir River caribou.
Newfoundland and Labrador Minister Kathy Dunderdale says the killings are "senseless and unnecessary," considering that hunting is permitted of the much larger George River caribou herd in the same region.
"If this killing continues, we run the risk of losing the entire herd.”
"The Quebec Innu are fully aware of the regulations and why they are required, and this was reiterated directly to the hunting party by our officers," Dunderdale added.
"Our requests that they respect provincial and federal laws ... are being ignored."
Based on the lack of response by authorities it appears Newfoundland and Labrador’s requests are not only being ignored by the Innu hunters but by the Federal and Quebec governments as well.
One can't help but wonder if the Innu were in the portion of Labrador that Quebec does not recognize as such.. or perhaps it is indeed just a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteWhat else is new? i.e. to be ignored by other agencies. We are only whining, right? That's how the rest of the country perceives us.
ReplyDeleteToday news reports are saying:
ReplyDeleteQuebec Innu hunters insist their actions have not jeopardized the herd.
Christiane Lalo, chief of the Pakuashipi Innu band, disputes that the animals are endangered. Indeed, Innu elders claim the herd's numbers are 20 times higher than what government officials say.
Lalo said the Quebec Innu have determined the number of animals through drums and dreams. She said the hunt is part of a larger dream, and the continuation of her people's tradition.
Can you believe that?
The determined the number of caribou through a dream?
It sounds all very mystic and ancient in nature but did the dream tell them to go buy high powerered rifles and ski-doos to chase the animals down with.
Not so mystical and ancient on that front are you cheif?
To USSR,
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate your sentiments on this I have have not published your comment for reasons I'm sure you will understand upon reviewing it. (especially the last section).
Cheers,
M