|
 |
|||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||
Porcupine Caribou Management Board Meeting ( DOC ) |
 |
|||
| Source: | YFGA | Date: | November 4, 2006 | |
| Yukon Fish and Game Association Synopsis of Presentation at Porcupine Caribou Management Board Meeting Aklavik, NWT November 4-5 2006 On behalf of the Yukon Fish and Game Association I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Ehdiitat Gwich’in Council for hosting this meeting and for inviting us to visit their traditional territory. I would also like to express our thanks to the Porcupine Caribou Management Board for the invitation to attend this meeting as well as for the opportunity to speak at your meeting. Some of you will be to some extent familiar with, or at least know of, the Yukon Fish and Game Association. I understand though, that for some of you what our organization is all about and what we do may be somewhat of a mystery and I would therefore like to take a few minutes and provide a brief background for you. The Yukon Fish and Game Association began back in 1945 in Whitehorse, Yukon. There was, of course, a war raging in Europe at this time and this in turn brought on the Alaska Highway through a major portion of the Yukon. Today we have grown considerably and membership is up around the 800 mark. Our membership is made up of mostly Yukoners including First Nations people and people who are not of First Nation ancestry. We run, and or assist with the running of, a variety of Educational activities that would include: A. Summer Camp: this is a free camp for 16 youth ages 13-16. Here the youth learn activities such as: Hunter Education and Ethics / trap shooting / rifle shooting / archery / map and compass / fly fishing / canoeing / horseback riding / wildlife identification related to hunting / hiking up mountains / first aid and many others aspects of Outdoor Recreation B. Video Sales/Production and Sales: 1. Take A Closer Look: a video about identification of wildlife 2. Wild Meat Cutting: Care of Harvested Animals: Use all that you take 3. Field Dressing Big Game Bears: Self Explanatory 4. Return of the Kings: Salmon Life Cycle 5. Live Release Techniques: Catch and Release Fishing C. Yukon Outdoor Women Program: We run two separate week long camps designed to assist with the development of all women in the Yukon who wish to hunt / fish / canoe / gather medicines /camp etc. D. Wolf Creek Chinook Salmon Fry Release: A family oriented event wherein children participate with the release of approx. 50, 000 Chinook fry. E. Hunting Workshops: in conjunction with the YTG Dept. of Environment, the Yukon Fish and Game Association assists with the promotion and implementation of hunting workshops designed to assist first time hunters. F. Contribution to Outdoor Edge Magazine published out of Saskatchewan. The Yukon Fish and Game Association contribute its own Yukon section to the magazine 6 times a year. Another great educational and communication opportunity for us to reach all of our membership. G. Family Fishing Day: an annual event held in April at two different locations in the Yukon. Again, an opportunity to reach our young anglers / outdoors people and promote safety and conservation oriented information. H. Whitehorse Fishway (Ladder): this is run on a seasonal basis by our organization from June to August. We provide a manager and 6 summer students. We receive funding from the Yukon Energy Corporation to operate the Fishway. This is the number One visitor attraction in Whitehorse according to the Tourism Industry Association. Here we provide an excellent educational opportunity for tourists and local people who are interested in the incredible life cycle of the Chinook salmon. I. Website: new one underway. www.yukonfga.com J. Public Meetings: Educational / Information gathering for the public K. Other activities such as: Yukon River Clean Up / Wolf Creek Walks / Salmon Enhancement projects: Michie Creek and Mclintock River / trade shows / truck raffle to raise money for the week long camp free for the youth school bison hunts / Hides for Habitat / Bird house building with National Wildlife Week and many others. The Yukon Fish and Game Association does have significant input into the development of Yukon Hunting and Fishing Regulations. With a membership of approx. 800 people we represent a large portion of hunters and anglers in the Yukon. In addition, we work with and listen to many hunters and anglers who do not have memberships but who do have concerns, questions and or suggestions. Here we work with the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board who consider all regulation proposals from a variety of sources. There is of course more to talk about with respect to our organization but I hope you have a small sense of what we are about. Our main focus, it could be said, is one of conservation through education. It is very true, without a doubt and unapologetically so, that we are very aware of, and keep a very close eye on, hunting and fishing opportunities for all of our members throughout the Yukon. While both acknowledging and fully respecting the traditional, cultural and historical rights of other governments, associations and groups to carry on harvesting from the land as they have for generations we also, and without hesitation, wholly expect the same courtesy and respect be shown to our own valuable and historical hunting and fishing heritage. Relationships The fundamental issue of relationship building is, in our opinion one of the greatest areas of opportunity to grow. Historically, within the assortment of groups present here today, there may well be some lingering issues. If we were to generalize in the case of the Yukon Fish and Game Association, it is safe to say that relationship building with not only the First Nations present here, but all of the First Nations in the Yukon, is one of our most important objectives. There are without question some over generalized and stereotypical misunderstandings with respect to, on the one hand, your respective governments and on the other hand, our Association. I have heard on many occasions when discussions like this come up that the crux of the matter is, “cultural differences…it all boils down to cultural differences.” This is, in fact, quite true. However, what may be of considerable value is our ability to identify and understand what we have in common. The cultural differences are real and they are relatively well known and identified, but what of our respective “common values”? Value Based Foundations Let’s take a look at some common values. These are things that I think we can safely say are common values that the Yukon Fish and Game Association membership and the various First Nations present here today hold dear: • Family: children, parents, aunts & uncles, grandparents…. • Health • Love of the outdoors: camping / boating / hiking / berry picking / wildlife viewing • Hunting / Harvest related • Fishing / Harvest related • Clean food to feed our families • Abundant & Strong Herds / Fish Stocks • Land • Security • Sense of Belonging • “Home” • Land based medicines The list is long and reflects many areas where the Fish and Game Association can effectively approach any First Nation with a sense of having a great deal in common. Proceeding from a place of well-defined differences and acknowledged conflicting areas is generally problematic. Our core values are not really that different and it is an extremely valuable place to start when considering working together. I submit that this is where we can begin to establish strong working relationships: when both parties take the time to understand these core common values and agree to such a “place” as a basis for moving forward. Time and effort must be spent with both parties meeting together in a sincere effort to “arrive” at the place of common values. I propose that this would be an excellent investment of both time and effort. A foundation from which both parties proceed to work together based on an mutually established working protocol that reflects our common values and that demonstrates the core principles of respect, integrity and good faith is something well worth working toward. “Conflict” amongst various groups is a natural occurrence and can be seen as a positive thing when viewed in light of the opportunities that can present themselves. It is unlikely that we will be in agreement with all that the First Nations governments do….and it will prove just as unlikely that the First Nation governments will agree with everything we do. However, the common core values are there and can play a significant role in bridging those differences. When both groups proceed from a place of mutual respect, common values and an established working protocol there is abundant opportunity for a productive exchange of ideas, debate, negotiation, dialogue and collaboration. In an effort to conclude here let me say that the Yukon Fish and Game Association is entirely committed to contributing in whatever positive way we can to the ongoing preservation, conservation and well being of the Porcupine Caribou Herd. We feel that we can contribute significantly in a number of areas, particularly in the areas of Education, Safety and Conservation. We would welcome opportunities to work collaboratively with the Porcupine Caribou Management Board on related projects of mutual interest and concern. For example, an Educational video produced specifically in relation to the Dempster Caribou Harvest might be a great project to work on together. This could easily be incorporated into the compulsory Hunting Ethics and Education Development course offered for youth and first time hunters in the Yukon. Here, we effectively target new hunters who may be attempting to harvest Caribou on the Dempster for the first time. Before these new hunters even get a license we can ensure that they have a comprehensive understanding of the vital issues facing the Porcupine Caribou Herd as they enter their winter range. Additionally, for those hunters who do not need a license, a well done video can still provide some valuable tools, information and conservation considerations that could be considered essentially “traditional knowledge.” Just a little something to consider. So, thank you for listening. Ross and I both look forward to the rest of the meeting here in Aklavik and will contribute where we can and will of course learn from all of you as well. Stewart Breithaupt Executive Director Yukon Fish and Game Association |
||||
| Hosted by: www.nwtel.ca | |
| Designed by: Bruce Ross |