Each week, the Indigenous Health department highlights good news stories from the North and from across the country.
Caribou herd back from brink of local extinction in Northeastern BC
A caribou population has returned from the brink of local extinction due to collaboration and partnership with the Saulteau First Nation and West Moberly First Nations of Northeastern BC and the University of British Columbia. In 2013, there were only 38 Klinse-Za mountain caribou and a 2022 count reveals there are 114 animals in this herd. This outcome is due to holistic wildlife management approaches of the two First Nations. Caribou in this region are culturally significant. The impetus for the repopulation program arose from observations that herd numbers were decreasing from previous years during which time there had been a “sea of caribou” in the area.
This group developed a strategy that focused on maternal penning, habitat restoration, and predator management. Members of the Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations volunteered to support the strategy by picking lichen for the animals to eat and helping to guard the maternal pens and supporting predator management.
Read how this UBC study offers a new model for wildlife management through further Indigenous led conservation projects from CBC News.
Métis Knowledge and climate change
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) is working in collaboration with the Métis National Council (MNC) and the University of Winnipeg’s Prairie Climate Center to support the development of research into climate change. Sharing Métis Knowledge, voices, and perspectives in climate change is an important way to identify factors impacting ecosystems including plants, fish, and animals. The video offered by MNBC shares the importance of multi-generational experience and knowledge around climate change that impacts the Métis ways of life. Sharing these important perspectives are critical regarding climate change and overall conservation in the environment.
View the Métis knowledge and climate change video from Métis Nation BC on their website.
SD57 in Prince George becomes first in BC to create Indigenous Assistant Superintendent position
School District No. 57, located on Lheidli T’enneh territory in Prince George, is the first in the province to appoint an Assistant Superintendent to lead Indigenous education.
The School District announced that Pam Spooner, who has been the director of SD57’s Indigenous education department for the past three years, will take on the new position.
Spooner is Gitxsan from the wilps Niisto (house of matriarch chief Niisto) of the Laxseel (Frog) Clan. She is also of Wet’suwet’en ancestry. She grew up on reserve in the Hazelton area (born in Kispiox) before moving to Lheidli territory in 1989 where she began working in education.
This new position is the result of recommendations made by the Special Advisor’s Report, released in 2021, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Education. This position was also suggested by the Indigenous Education Leadership Table, formed between Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band in January 2022, to engage in direct dialogue with the Board of Education.
In addition, Prince George is home to Nusdeh Yoh Elementary School – the province’s first and only Indigenous choice school. Choice schools are institutions with specialized programs and philosophies operating within BC’s education system. School District 57’s Indigenous Education department also has more than 100 staff members who are involved with every school in the region.
This story is found on the Prince George Citizen website.