(Inuvik, NT) March 22, 2020 - The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) would like to inform all residents of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) that a team of Reindeer herders will be out on the land working with the Reindeer herd on a regular basis. IRC does not wish to have any interference with the round-up and herding of the Reindeer, especially during the calving season, and asks that all residents avoid any Reindeer and do not use any firearms near them. The Reindeer herders will be working closely with the Reindeer herd during this time, and IRC does not wish to see anyone harmed as a result.
IRC Chair and CEO Duane Smith “acknowledges and commends harvesters who are securing country food and meat to share with families and elders and who continue to contribute proactively to food security in their communities, however, all harvesters must recognize that reindeer are not a part of harvesting rights acknowledged under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.”
The IRC would like to reiterate to all residents of the ISR that harvesting from the Reindeer herd is strictly not allowed. IRC understands and respects that, in some instances, harvesters may be accessing the herd to provide for their dependents given recent concerns surrounding COVID-19 and we encourage families to look into On The Land, Child First Initiative and other assistance available.

We ask for the support of everyone in respecting the health of the herd and the safety of our herders, by not harvesting, using firearms near or causing any extra stress to the reindeer.

Contact:
Evan Pound
Legal Counsel
Tel: (867) 777-7065
Email:
www.irc.inuvialuit.com

Photo by ICR, Inuvik 2015