[English translation not provided.]
Mr. Speaker, I would just like to touch on some key points that have been addressed here today by the Legislative Assembly Members. One of the highlights is, of course, the decline of the caribou herd. We are facing a crisis here, also preserving our traditional harvesting, saving our caribou herd for the Northwest Territories.
We hear there is more than one herd, Also, thinking about the future, we talk about our younger generation, our great-great-grandchildren, the importance of working together, the GNWT, other governments, other First Nations. We all need to come together on this particular piece of work that’s important to us.
Mr. Speaker, this conservation issue has been an ongoing discussion for as long as I know. The discussion, everybody would know, everyone around here, a decision was made down the valley a few years back that we can only go out shooting bulls as opposed to cows because of the decline in caribou. So this is nothing new, Mr. Speaker. We are faced with a crisis. These are also interim measures, a short period that we are currently dealing with until such time as Wekeezhii Renewable Resources deal with the issue at a public level. Mr. Speaker, there is also a co-
management agreement that is before them that they will decide on.
Mr. Speaker, we all agree, as a Tlicho person, I want to conserve my culture and tradition. I will continue to hunt outside the prescribed zone. In my travels through Whati or Gameti, I will continue to hunt with my people to keep the tradition alive, I’m hoping others will follow or I may follow others that were before me.
Our ancestors have always told us to respect wildlife. Once you disrespect it, it will be destroyed. Mr. Speaker, most elders agree but are confused because of the miscommunication or they are misinformed. Whether it be the general public, whether it be in committee meetings, there needs to be more transparency. There needs to be more discussions that need to take place, There are also concerns about the caribou herd, as we speak today. I am sure they are watching us as well, They are depending on us for our next move.
Mr. Speaker, I’ve also spoken to a young individual from the community of Behchoko. This young individual is also concerned about the future generation, the future caribou herd declining. He even stated that when he’s 80 years old he wants to see his grandchildren or great-grandchildren to continue harvesting, to continue to carry the drums that we use, traditional garments that we use. So I feel that those are important pieces of work that are before us to consider. Also to consider having the youth involved in the decision-making. They’re the ones we are talking about. Yes, we’re here around the table and we probably won’t be remembered in the next 30 or 40 years, but it’s the youth we’re doing it for.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to close off with a small story, a history of the Dene people. Our traditions, our knowledge, our way of doing things is rooted in our oral tradition. The elders tell stories to us about our history and to help guide us with our daily lives today. Mr. Speaker, these stories go a long way back, as far back as when man and all animals were one, one language they spoke. They only became distinct from each other to fulfill their roles, to help each other. They divided into whether it be eagles, bears, and, yes, caribou as well. The story is common throughout the Dene Nation across the Northwest Territories, about the boy who becomes a caribou. He dreams of caribou every night and eventually he was called back to the caribou herd and he became the leader of the caribou. The Dene people are ultimately connected to the caribou. The caribou are part of us, always have been, always will be.
To conserve ourselves, our way of life, we must conserve the caribou. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.