Aboriginal groups meet about George River caribou

Inuit, Quebec native groups, and representatives from Labrador are meeting this week in Kuujjuaq, Que., to attempt to come up with a management plan for the declining George River caribou herd.

"There does not seem to be an agreement from the different groups on how to properly manage the herd," said Johnny Peter, vice-president of renewable resources for Makivik Corporation, in Inuktitut.

"But I'm hoping at this meeting we'll be able to see eye to eye and to work together. Even if we can reach that point, it would be a success."

About 50 people are expected at the two-day meeting.

The George River caribou herd has declined in the last decade from 400,000 animals to fewer than 30,000.

Hunting is not believed to be a major factor, but the Quebec Government put an end to sport hunting for the 2012-2013 season.

In December,the Nunatsiavut governmentasked its beneficiariesnot to hunt George River caribou for two yearsand theNunatuKavut Community Council also suspended itscaribou hunt.

"Ultimately, it's up to the province to come up with a management plan, but we also understand that this is our herd, these are our caribou, and we need to look at what we can do to preserve it and we're hoping the other aboriginal groups will see it the same way," said Nunatsiavut president Sarah Leo.