Protecting Caribou Together: NWT and Nunavut Sign Updated MOU

Press Release

On August 28, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Government of Nunavut signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on caribou cooperation between the two territories. This MOU shows a commitment to work collaboratively to manage shared populations of caribou herds.

The new MOU includes:

updates to monitoring schedules for shared caribou herds;
an agreement to share data and information collected during monitoring activities and projects relating to caribou;
an agreement to pursue the development of predator research and/or management programs on barren-ground caribou ranges in collaboration with co-management partners when practical; and
the addition of Peary caribou and Dolphin and Union caribou herds to the agreement.

This MOU signals our commitment to work cooperatively to coordinate the effective use of resources, implement monitoring activities and programs and share data and information related to caribou. Respecting both the north’s well-developed system of wildlife co-management and land claim agreements, our jurisdictions commit to working together to promote and advance common goals, approaches and actions relating to the management and conservation of caribou.

Caribou are vital and shared resources. We commit to work together and with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations to ensure we are doing what we can to effectively manage and protect caribou for future generations, while continuing our long-standing relationship between our jurisdictions.

Quotes

“Protecting caribou is a high priority for us and our co-management partners. These herds are vital to northern cultures, communities, and ways of life. By renewing this agreement with Nunavut, we are committing to make decisions together, based on the best available science and traditional knowledge, and to take strong action when it’s needed. Caribou don’t recognize borders, and neither should our efforts to protect them. Working side by side with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, co-management boards, and our neighbours in Nunavut, we are building a unified approach to ensure caribou remain on the land for future generations.”

– Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“I am pleased and honoured to be signing this agreement with the Northwest Territories. It represents a commitment to caribou conservation through a continued working relationship with our partners in the north. This agreement not only involves the exchange of information but also represents our mutual dedication to ensuring healthy and stable caribou populations for today and into the future. We are glad to work with partners who share our values in gathering both indigenous and scientific knowledge to inform our policy. Caribou are an essential part of Nunavut’s identity, culture and food security and I look forward to watching this partnership continue to grow and strengthen.”

– David Joanasie, Minister of Environment, Government of Nunavut

Quick facts

This MOU is providing an update to an MOU that was originally signed in 2022.
The MOU is in place until 2030.
The Honourable David Joanasie Minister of Environment, Government of Nunavut and the Honourable Jay MacDonald Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of the Northwest Territories are the signatories to the MOU.
Barren-ground caribou herds (Bluenose-East, Bathurst, Ahiak, Beverly, and Qamanirjuaq), Dolphin and Union caribou and Peary caribou populations reside within both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.