Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. Vice-President James Eetoolook today encouraged Inuit in the Baffin region to contact their local Hunters and Trappers Organizations to discuss local caribou populations.

Eetoolook said Inuit need to do this before the Baffin Island caribou workshop is held in Iqaluit next week. The Government of Nunavut is organizing that workshop July 23-24 with all Baffin Island HTOs to discuss current caribou population numbers.

“NTI’s role in this workshop relates to Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Article 5 and the co-management process. NTI, HTOs, Inuit, GN, and the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board are all co-management partners in wildlife harvesting. The workshop will give all partners the opportunity to exchange science and Inuit qaujimajatuqangit about local caribou populations,” said Eetoolook.

The GN is bringing two representatives from each HTO to Iqaluit for the workshop. Elders and co-management partners will also attend. NTI is encouraging Inuit to contact their HTOs this week to express their concerns and share their knowledge about their local caribou populations so that HTO representatives can better represent their communities during the workshop.

“The current caribou numbers across Baffin Island are reported to be low. Inuit understand that caribou populations naturally fluctuate, but it is critical that all co-management partners meet and discuss what sort of management measures should be put in place at this time,” said Eetoolook.