VANCOUVER – First Nations and environmental groups are celebrating the signing of a ground-breaking caribou partnership agreement. This First Nations-led agreement will protect endangered southern mountain caribou Peace Valley region.  

This morning, Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations signed an agreement with the provincial and federal governments to provide recovery and protection measures for southern mountain caribou herds in the central group. This is a historical moment for endangered caribou and highlights the impressive leadership of Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations.

“This marks the first plan of it’s kind in B.C. that actually put endangered caribou needs as the top priority,” said Conservation and Policy Campaigner Charlotte Dawe. “We must hold this plan as the gold-standard going forward on the caribou file and follow the leadership of First Nations on protecting wildlife and wilderness areas.” 

The plan includes the designation of a new protected area, roll-out of an Indigenous Guardians Program and support for ongoing recovery and protection efforts by West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations.

“The perseverance of Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations to protect these caribou herds is the reason this plan has finally come to fruition,” said Dawe. “It sets an incredible example and the province should look to other interested First Nations for partnership on future agreements to protect wildlife under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).” 

The Species at Risk Act enables Canada to enter into agreements with First Nation and provincial governments to benefit species at risk. This partnership agreement ensures recovery measures are consistent with the purposes and outcomes of SARA. 

“This is a rare example of SARA being used and implemented in the way it was meant to be — to save species at risk,” said Dawe. “I look forward to the day when Chief Ken Cameron and Chief Roland Wilson can watch as caribou migrate over hilltops in the high hundreds, a sight that hasn’t been seen in the Peace Region for decades.”

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For more information, please contact:

Charlotte Dawe | Conservation and Policy Campaigner
778-903-3992, charlotte@wildernesscommittee.org