Fort Severn First Nation chief presents the Cree relationship with polar bears at Quebec gathering
Officials from Nunavut, Nunavit, the James Bay Cree as well as from Canada, Quebec and Ontario gathered in Quebec City (June 22, 2011) to discuss strategies to address climate change and the future of the polar bear in the southern Hudson Bay region.
Chief Matthew Kakekaspan of Fort Severn First Nation addressed Cree concerns with respect to the decisions of various governments to list the polar bear as an endangered species in spite of little scientific data that suggests the polar bear population is declining.
Scientists reported that while the polar bear population has remained stable in the Hudson Bay the bear is facing an “ecological tipping point” as mortality rates are rising among all polar bear age groups and there is a decline in polar bear body weight over the last 20 years.
Nunavut representatives rejected any suggestion that hunting quotas be reduced to protect the polar bear population in the southern Hudson Bay. They have observed that the polar bear population is increasing. They claimed that the darting of polar bears by scientists was far more harmful to the animals than the traditional hunt. The Inuit says the meat of darted bears was inedible. They also said that the bears act erratically for at least thirty days after being darted and the collars used by biologists irritated the bears making them unpredictable. The darting of bears, the Inuit Elders said, have caused the bears to get sick and weak and has lead to a decline in body weight. They called on the governments to ban the collaring of female bears with cubs when they are leaving their dens in the spring.
Chief Matthew Kakekaspan said that Cree and Inuit peoples must be part of the decision-making process regarding the future of the polar bear. He told the gathering that the traditional knowledge of the Cree and Inuit could not be ignored by the governments if they want to ensure that future generations will be able to see the bear in Ontario and Quebec. He concluded his presentation with ...
"Make no mistake, biologists, environmentalists and government officials cannot save the polar bear from their offices in the cities. They can only make a bad situation for the polar bear worse. If you care about the bear, you need the Inuit and Cree at the table. Without Inuit and Cree voices, without our knowledge, without our presence at the decision-making process, the polar bear will not survive."
Canada has agreed to host a follow-up meeting with all of the parties to address the Cree and Inuit issues with respect to the polar bear in August or September.