Caribou conference frustrates Yukon participant

The chair of a Caribou Management Board in Yukon says four days of meetings with researchers, hunters and other experts didn't answer big questions about the future of caribou herds, especially as northern resources are developed.

With many caribou herds in decline, talks during the Arctic Ungulate Conference in Yellowknife this week focused on improving the management of the animals.

But Joe Tetlichi, the chair of the Yukon board, says that despite the information presented during the conference, which attracts scientists and others from throughout the circumpolar world, he didn't get the direction or guidance he hoped for.

 "When do we have to say no to industrial development?" he asked the experts assembled for the conference. "When do we have to say no to mining?

"That's what you researchers should be here to help us answer. Because population-wise, we can get to only a certain level when there's no return."

John B. Zoe, a member of the Tlicho First Nation, however, said progress has been made in the way scientists and aboriginal people work together — even if some questions are still unanswered.

 "We can actually put into reports some evidence of traditional knowledge," he said. "Or working towards some traditional knowledge ... or even a voice spoken at a conference is a good beginning. 

The next Arctic Ungulate Conference — ungulate refers to animals with hooves — will be held in Norway in 2015.