Yukon First Nation declares caribou herd to be ‘living ecological person’ – CBC

Apr 02, 2026

The Ross River Dena Council says the decision is meant to protect caribou from industrial development

The Ross River Dena Council has declared the Finlayson caribou herd to be a “living ecological person with inherent rights”.

In a news release last week, the First Nation says those rights include the right to exist and thrive throughout its natural range; the right to ecological protection; the right to be free from destructive industrial activity; and the right to representation and legal protection.

“Our nation will do whatever is necessary to protect the rights of the herd,” said Ross River Dena Council (RRDC) Chief Dylan Loblaw. That includes legal action, he said.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/ross-river-finlayson-caribou-ecological-person-9.7150529