Tradition versus technology: Northerners debate use of drones in caribou hunting

Tradition and technology are clashing on the tundra where Indigenous groups are debating the use of drones to hunt caribou.

The issue arose during public consultations on new wildlife regulations in the Northwest Territories, where First Nations and Mtis depend on caribou for food.

Drones are not widely used to hunt, but the N.W.T. government says they have been utilized to find caribou and sometimes to herd them to a hunter. That's caused fears of increased pressure on populations that are already struggling.

The Bathurst herd, nearly half a million strong in the 1980s, has dwindled to 8,500. The Bluenose-East herd has declined almost 50 per cent in the last three years to about 19,000 animals.

"We heard significant concern about the use of drones for hunting and broad support for a ban on their use," statedJoslyn Oosenbrug, an Environment Department spokesperson, in an email.

"A ban on drones will help address conservation concerns for some species and help prevent new conservation concerns for others."

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The territory has proposed banning drones for hunting except for Indigenous harvesters.

Some Indigenous groups argue the ban should go further. The board that co-manages wildlife between Great Slave and Great Bear lakes wants a ban on drones to apply universally.

"The Wek'eezhiiRenewable Resources Board would prefer that drones not be used for harvesting purposes," said board biologist Aimee Guile in an email.

The Northwest Territory MtisNationalso wants to see drones banned for everyone.

Others argue that banning drones for Indigenous groups would violate treaty rights.

An N.W.T. report into consultations on the proposed ban says both the Inuvialuit Game Council and the Wildlife Management Advisory Council statesrights holders should be exempt from the proposed ban, "because of the potential infringement to Aboriginal harvesters exercising their rights."

• FROM 2018 | Aboriginal hunters in N.W.T.could be exempt from ban on hunting with drones

The Tlicho government, which has jurisdiction in communities west of Great Slave Lake, also wants Indigenous harvesters exempted.

"It's a matter of leaving it with us," said spokespersonMichael Birlea. "We want to be able to make our own decisions rather than somebody else."

Tlicho residents are uneasy with the technology.

"[Tlicho leaders]also acknowledged the discomfort heard from many of their citizens," states the consultation report. "Many citizens expressed that all harvesters should be prohibited from using drones."

Members of the Fort Chipewyan Mtis local in Alberta hunt in the N.W.T. and are concerned about the impact drones could have on the health of caribou herds and on Mtis culture.

It's a matter of leaving it with us.- Michael Birlea, Tlicho government

"Drones could undermine the transmission of traditional knowledge to younger hunters about how to hunt and what to look for," said the localin its submission.

It suggested restrictions on drones should come from Indigenous governments, not the territory.

Others have made similar points.

Summarizing what the government heard during consultations, Oosenbrug said: "Using drones is bad because it is another loss of the Indigenous culture of N.W.T. people as it does not represent a traditional way of hunting.

"[It]shows a lack of respect for Indigenous culture and the wildlife, and it should be considered cheating."

Regulation deferred

The N.W.T.'s new wildlife regulations came into effect July 1, but the territory chose to defer a decision on drones until there are further talks.

More discussion is planned for the fall, said Oosenbrug.

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"[The wildlife council]looks forward to continued discussions with the [territory]on the potential conservation issues for wildlife and implications to harvesters with Indigenous rights," said an official on behalf of the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT).

Indigenous hunters have already accepted restrictions on the number of animals they can take. In some areas, no hunting is allowed at all.