(1) Question asked by David Codzi of Colville Lake“Colville Lake is now issuing authorizations for Dehla Got’ine, Ayoni Keh members and non-participants to hunt in accordance with our local RRC rules. We want to be able to issue authorizations to participants from other communities. Assuming that there is a decision from the SRRB that Sahtú participants should follow community conservation plan(s), and the local harvesting rules in each area under an approved management plan, is there anything else the GNWT needs to recognize the authority of Renewable Resource Councils to grant authorizations to visiting hunters?”

(2) A question was asked by Gordon Yakelaya of the Tulít'a Renewable Resource Council about ENR’s support for guardianship programs.

Topic 1: Caribou Status

IRs to All Parties

1.1 Which kinds of caribou most concern you as a Party: ɂedǝ/ɂekwę́ (Bluenose West or Bluenose East barren-ground caribou), shúhtagoɂepę́ (Northern Mountain caribou), or tǫdzı (Boreal Woodland caribou)? Describe your main conservation concerns. (SRRB)

IRs to NWT Environment and Natural Resources

2.1 What development permits, licenses, interests and dispositions (including mineral claims) have been approved by the Government of the Northwest Territories or any other regulatory body in the Bluenose West range SB/01/02 since 2006 to the current date? (Colville)

2.2 How many caribou are being taken through outfitted sport hunting? (Tulı́t'a)

2.3 Do the ENR biologists know if the muskox are causing the caribou to move? Do they eat the same thing the same way or just ruin the habitat? (Tulı́t'a)

Topic 2: Hunting Law

IR to Inuvialuit Game Council (IGC)

2.8 Under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the IGC represents the collective Inuvialuit interest in all matters pertaining to the management of wildlife and wildlife habitat in the ISR. The IGC allocates Inuvialuit quotas among the six ISR communities. Please provide a description of the IGC’s approach to working with communities and ENR in hunting regulation.

Topic 4: Harvest Monitoring

IRs to All Parties

4.1 Harvest monitoring is recognized as a key component in effective harvest regulation. What is the most effective way to monitor caribou harvest in your experience? (SRRB)

4.2 Over the past year, Indigenous Guardian programs have come onto the national stage as part of Indigenous environmental governance systems. What role can Guardians play in harvest monitoring? (SRRB)

Topic 5: Participation, Education, Information

IRs to All Parties

5.1 Discussions among Member Boards of the Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management emphasize education and communication as priorities in achieving effective harvest regulation. What are your priorities for education and communication? (SRRB)

Dene bere belarewlle is a 5-year program that will work towards the following objectives, as
detailed below:
1) Food for the Community - Deline Food Map and Calendar
2) Safe Places - Great Bear Lake Cabin and Safe Harbour Inventory
3) Alternative Harvest Knowledge Transfer
4) Growing Food in Deline
S} Training Young Harvesters in Deline
6) Learning on the land - Supporting transfer of knowledge through on-the ~land camps

Topic 1: Traditional Harvesting Practices

IRs to All Parties

1.1 Could you provide examples of traditional caribou conservation measures used in your community? (ENR)

1.2 Could you describe the traditional harvesting practices of your community as they relate to harvesting cows vs bulls or different age classes of animals throughout the year? (ENR)

Topic 2: Hunter Education

IRs to All Parties

2.1 During the collaborative drafting of the Wildlife Act, which included representatives from Aboriginal governments and wildlife co-management boards, it was heard that a hunter education course should be developed and made available to all hunters in the NWT. As of January 1, 2020, the course will be a legislated requirement for new hunters in the NWT. It is online, free and available now (www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/hunter-education). Although Sahtú rights holders are exempt from the requirement to take the course, we previously heard a desire for Sahtú youth and new or inexperienced hunters to take the course. ENR can make these courses available in-person, would you be interested in this style of delivery?

Topic 4: Public Listening Process and Timelines

IR to All Parties

4.2 The SRRB recognizes that evaluation of each Public Listening Session and advance planning and scoping for future Sessions will support fulsome evidence gathering, fairness, and impactful decision-making. The Board hopes to launch Session 2 as early as possible in 2020. Please provide comments on the following preliminary draft timeline for Session 2, based on your experience with Colville 2020 Public Listening Session activities and timelines.

Topic 1: Caribou Status

IRs to All Parties

1.1 Which kinds of caribou most concern you as a Party: ɂedǝ/ɂekwę́ (Bluenose West or Bluenose East barren-ground caribou), shúhtagoɂepę́ (Northern Mountain caribou), or tǫdzı (Boreal Woodland caribou)? Describe your main conservation concerns. (SRRB)

Topic 2: Hunting Law

IRs to All Parties

2.1 Do you have concerns about regulation of caribou harvest? What are your concerns? (SRRB)

2.2 How do you ensure that Indigenous harvesters that are not from your jurisdiction respect local hunting laws? How do you deal with visiting Indigenous harvesters that violate local hunting laws? (SRRB)

2.3 In the North, each region has a wildlife management authority that works with communities to determine the approach to caribou conservation. Do you have concerns about the coordination of caribou hunting regulation across regions? How do you propose that these concerns be addressed? (SRRB)

IR to Délı̨nę and NWT Environment and Natural Resources (ENR)

2.4 In its 2016 Ɂekwę́ hé Dene Ts’ı̨lı̨ - Sustaining Relationships Hearing Report (BNE Hearing Report), accepted by the Minister, the SRRB asked the following: “Délı̨nę and the Government of the NWT are requested to immediately begin a process for determining whether and how the restorative justice code for ɂekwę́ ɂeɂa hegerı̨chá gha góɂǫ (enforcement) in Délı̨nę’s Belare Wı́le Gots’ę́ Ɂekwę́ plan will be recognized as an “Alternative Measures” option under the Wildlife Act” (Hearing Decision 38). Can Délı̨nę and ENR indicate whether there have been any discussions about how the proposed restorative justice code developed by Délı̨nę will be recognized as one of the “Alternative Measures” for enforcement under the Wildlife Act? If not, what would assist in further dialogue on this? (SRRB)

IRs to Délı̨nę

2.5 We understand that Délı̨nę's Belare Wı́le Gots'ę́ Ɂekwę́ plan has been community-approved and implemented by the community since November 2015. It was approved by the SRRB on July 28, 2016, and approved by the ENR Minister Robert C. McLeod on February 22, 2017. How effective have the hunting regulation parts of the plan have been over the past four years in supporting ɂekwę́ conservation? (SRRB)

2.6 Délı̨nę provided information about the status of Ɂehdaı̨la Ɂekwę́ (Bluenose East caribou) for the November 19-20, 2019 status meeting of the ACCWM (Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management). Délı̨nę has also been working to review the Belare Wı́le Gots'ę́ Ɂekwę́ plan in light of traditional knowledge and science regarding the status of Ɂehdaı̨la Ɂekwę́ (Bluenose East caribou). Please provide details about revisions to the hunting law parts of the plan, including: ɂekwę̨́ gha máhsı ts’ı̨nı̨we (ceremonial harvest); majority yárégo (male) harvest; and efforts to gain recognition of Délı̨nę's harvest law under the "alternative measures" clause of the Wildlife Act (Section 167). (SRRB)

Topic 3: Approaches to Wildlife Harvesting

IRs to All Parties

3.1 List three (or more) aspects of Indigenous country food systems and ways of life that most contribute to promoting caribou conservation. Do you have concerns about threats to these systems? (SRRB)

3.2 How are Indigenous country food systems changing? What impacts are these changes having on caribou? (SRRB)

Topic 4: Harvest Monitoring

IRs to All Parties

4.1 Harvest monitoring is recognized as a key component in effective harvest regulation. What is the most effective way to monitor caribou harvest in your experience? (SRRB)

4.2 Over the past year, Indigenous Guardian programs have come onto the national stage as part of Indigenous environmental governance systems. What role can Guardians play in harvest monitoring? (SRRB)

Topic 5: Participation, Education, Information

IRs to All Parties

5.1 Discussions among Member Boards of the Advisory Committee for Cooperation on Wildlife Management emphasize education and communication as priorities in achieving effective harvest regulation. What are your priorities for education and communication? (SRRB)

5.3 In its 2016 BNE Hearing Report, the SRRB found that that "there is strong consensus in the Sahtú Region that youth involvement is critical for the success of community ɂekwę́ [caribou] conservation plans." Describe your approach to involving youth in wildlife harvesting and harvest regulation. (SRRB)

5.4 What materials or websites do you recommend for review as relevant for consideration by the Parties related to the central question of the Public Listening Session? (SRRB). See the following linked documents provided.

• Délı̨nę’s Dene Béré Belare Wı̨́le Food Security Plan
• Indigenous Discussion Document and Calls to Action (North American Caribou Workshop 2018)
• Délı̨nę's Belare Wı́le Gots'ę́ Ɂekwę́ - Caribou for All Time plan (January 8, 2016 edition)

Topic 6: Aboriginal and Treaty Rights

IR to All Parties

6.1 All regions in the North with Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements conducted similarly designed Harvest Studies as a requirement of their claims and as an evidence base for protecting Indigenous harvesting rights. If you participated as a partner in a Harvest Study, what do you consider to be the current and future value of the study? If you are continuing to participate in Harvest Studies, are these differently designed? Are they being used differently? (SRRB)

1.1 Could you provide examples of traditional caribou conservation measures used in your community? (ENR)

1.2 Could you describe the traditional harvesting practices of your community as they relate to harvesting cows vs bulls or different age classes of animals throughout the year? (ENR)

2.1 During the collaborative drafting of the Wildlife Act, which included representatives from Aboriginal governments and wildlife co-management boards, it was heard that a hunter education course should be developed and made available to all hunters in the NWT. As of January 1, 2020, the course will be a legislated requirement for new hunters in the NWT. It is online, free and available now (www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/hunter-education). Although Sahtú rights holders are exempt from the requirement to take the course, we previously heard a desire for Sahtú youth and new or inexperienced hunters to take the course. ENR can make these courses available in-person, would you be interested in this style of delivery?

4.1 In considering the capacity of the SRRB and the Parties, and the experience of preparing for the Colville 2020 Public Listening Session, do you support a revised timeline for Public Listening Sessions with only one Session per year, with a schedule to prepare for each Session in modest steps throughout the year, and completion of Reasons for Decision report by March 31? Please comment on the following timeline, topics and hosting communities, keeping in mind the benefits of holding sessions during winter road season to maximize participation:

• 2021 – Session 2: Knowledge of Caribou and Landscapes (Délı̨nę)
• 2022 – Session 3: Caribou and Predators (Fort Good Hope)
• 2023 – Session 4: Wildfires, Climate Change and Caribou Habitat (Tulı́t'a)
• 2024 – Session 5: The Sahtú Mixed Economy and Caribou Conservation (N. Wells)
• 2025 - SRRB Final Wrap-up Hearing Report

The Dehlá Got'ı̨nę Ɂǝdǝ Plan (October 21, 2019) recognizes the obligation under the Sahtú land claim agreement to provide harvesting data, and outlines how this will happen in Section 3.3 of the Plan. The Plan notes that provision of data would be in accordance with a Data Sharing Protocol with the SRRB and GNWT. Please share the Data Sharing Protocol for consideration by the Parties in assessing Colville’s commitment to providing harvesting data. (SRRB)

1.1    Could you provide examples of traditional caribou conservation measures used in your community? (ENR)

1.2   Could you describe the traditional harvesting practices of your community as they relate to harvesting cows vs bulls or different age classes of animals throughout the year? (ENR)

2.1   During the collaborative drafting of the Wildlife Act, which included representatives from Aboriginal governments and wildlife co-management boards, it was heard that a hunter education course should be developed and made available to all hunters in the NWT. As of January 1, 2020, the course will be a legislated requirement for new hunters in the NWT. It is online, free and available now (www.enr.gov.nt.ca/en/services/hunter-education). Although Sahtú rights holders are exempt from the requirement to take the course, we previously heard a desire for Sahtú youth and new or inexperienced hunters to take the course. ENR can make these courses available in-person, would you be interested in this style of delivery? (ENR)

3.1   As discussed in the SRRB’s 2016 Bluenose East Ɂekwę́ Hearing Report, community conservation plans are based on principles of self-regulation. These plans are means for communities to develop their own approaches to caribou conservation while recognizing the need for accountability and sharing across boundaries, as outlined in the Taking Care of Caribou plan for Cape Bathurst, Bluenose West and Bluenose East ɂǝdǝ/ɂekwę́ (barren-ground caribou) and associated Action Plans. However, Wildlife Management authorities from neighbouring regions have expressed concerns that to date, community conservation planning and self-regulation processes have not complied with the spirit and intent of cross-regional agreements for sharing harvest information, which are consistent with the obligation to collect and provide harvesting data outlined in the Sahtú Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (SDMCLCA)[1]. There is concern about lack of information on how harvest data is collected, leading to lack of confidence in the quality of the data. Please clarify how you plan to address these concerns. (SRRB)

3.2   The Dehlá Got'ı̨nę Ɂǝdǝ Plan (October 21, 2019) recognizes the obligation under the Sahtú land claim agreement to provide harvesting data, and outlines how this will happen in Section 3.3 of the Plan. The Plan notes that provision of data would be in accordance with a Data Sharing Protocol with the SRRB and GNWT. Please share the Data Sharing Protocol for consideration by the Parties in assessing Colville’s commitment to providing harvesting data. (SRRB)

4.1 & 4.2    In considering the capacity of the SRRB and the Parties, and the experience of preparing for the Colville 2020 Public Listening Session, do you support a revised timeline for Public Listening Sessions with only one Session per year, with a schedule to prepare for each Session in modest steps throughout the year, and completion of Reasons for Decision report by March 31? Please comment on the following timeline, topics and hosting communities, keeping in mind the benefits of holding sessions during winter road season to maximize participation:

• 2021 – Session 2: Knowledge of Caribou and Landscapes (Délı̨nę)
• 2022 – Session 3: Caribou and Predators (Fort Good Hope)
• 2023 – Session 4: Wildfires, Climate Change and Caribou Habitat (Tulı́t'a)
• 2024 – Session 5: The Sahtú Mixed Economy and Caribou Conservation (N. Wells)
• SRRB Final Wrap-up Hearing Report

The SRRB recognizes that evaluation of each Public Listening Session and advance planning and scoping for future Sessions will support fulsome evidence gathering, fairness, and impactful decision-making. The Board hopes to launch Session 2 as early as possible in 2020. Please provide comments on the following preliminary draft timeline for Session 2, based on your experience with Colville 2020 Public Listening Session activities and timelines.

[1] “Renewable Resources Councils shall participate in the collection and provision, to government and the Board, of local harvesting data and other locally available data respecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.” (SDMCLCA 13.9.6).

Supporting documents provided by the WRRB are as follows:

• WRRB’s 2019 Sahtì Ekwǫ̀ Reasons for Decision Report, entitled “Report on a Public Hearing Held by the Wek’èezhìı Renewable Resources Board 9-11 April 2019 Behchokǫ̀, NT & Reasons for Decisions Related to a Joint Proposal for the Management of the Sahtì Ekwǫ̀ (Bluenose-East Caribou) Herd.”
• Response from the GNWT and TG to the WRRB’s 2019 Sahtì Ekwǫ̀ Reasons for Decision Report.
• Implementation Tracking Table for the WRRB’s 2019 Sahtì Ekwǫ̀ determinations and recommendations.