Migratory Bird Management in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Biologists examining waterfowl harvest, May 1987.

When the Inuvialuit Final Agreement was signed in 1984, it established a new approach to managing renewable resources by guaranteeing the meaningful involvement of the Inuvialuit throughout the areas of the northwestern portion of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon North Slope which make up the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

The development of management policies and regulations is now the responsibility of cooperative management boards, of which half of the members are appointed by the Inuvialuit, and half by government. Furthermore, the agreement established preferential and exclusive rights for the Inuvialuit to harvest fish and wildlife in the region and authorized community hunters' and trappers' committees to develop and pass by-laws to govern the exercise of those rights.

Along with many other indigenous people across Canada, the Inuvialuit have had a long history of dependence on migratory birds. They also recognize that, because these birds cross national and international borders, a cooperative approach to the management of both the birds and their habitat is essential.

The governments of Canada and the U.S. are considering amendments to the 1916 Migratory Birds Convention which will allow for the traditional spring hunt of waterfowl by the Inuvialuit and other Canadians. In anticipation of discussions regarding these amendments, the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) developed a set of principles to guide the future development of government regulations and Inuvialuit hunters' and trappers' committee by-laws.

The twenty-two Principles for the Conservation of Migratory Birds in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region included eight which are drawn directly from the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. The other fourteen were either drawn from the Inuvialuit Final Agreement, the Inuvialuit Renewable Resource Conservation and Management Plan, or were developed by the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) itself. The fourteen principles are as follows:

1. Of highest priority is the conservation ot migratory birds and their habitat. That is, conservation considerations will be paramount to all other considerations.

2. The migratory birds that the Inuvialuit will be permitted to harvest are those species that they have traditionally used for subsistence and cultural purposes.

3. Wastage of migratory birds is not acceptable under any circumstances.

4. Migratory birds shall be protected from harassment while on their nests, subject to controlled exceptions for subsis- tence hunting and research.

5. Any conflict concerning bird sanctuaries and subsistence harvesting should be resolved through existing regulations where Dossible.

6. The timing of hunting will be based on recommendations from the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) and may vary from year to year.

7. Migratory birds, their habitat and biological productivity shall be preserved and protected.

8. When determining Inuvialuit subsistence needs, the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT) will take into account the following criteria:
   • the food and clothing requirements of the Inuvialuit.
   • the usage patterns and levels of Inuvialuit harvest.
   • the availability of migratory bird populations in specific areas. For greater certainty, the council may recommend that certain areas within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region may be closed to the harvest of some or all species of migratory birds and their eggs if their populations are not sufficient to maintain harvesting.
   • projected changes in migratory bird populations.
   • the national and international obligations of Canada.

9. Regulations developed by the federal or territorial governments limiting or restricting the harvest and use of migratory birds and their eggs by the people of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region shall be based on public safety and conservation.

10. Subject only to those federal and territorial regulations respecting conservation and public safety, the community hunters' and trappers' committees are responsible for the regulation of Inuvialuit migratory bird harvesting through their committee by-laws.

11. Maintenance and productive migratory bird populations is essential to the survival of Inuvialuit cultural values, social systems, economy and a sense of well being.

12. Long-term protection of migratory bird populations can best be achieved through the active communication and cooperation of all parties concerned.

13. Careful management of habitat is vital to the maintenance of abundant migratory bird populations.

14. Inuvialuit knowledge and experience are essential elements in the proper management of migratory bird populations.

John Bailey is the Chairperson for the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (NWT).