A fire suppression model was developed for forested winter range of the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq (formerly Kaminuriak) herds of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in north-central Canada. The model is a balance between total protection, as voiced by some aboriginal people, and a let-burn policy for natural fires advocated by some ecologists. Elements in the model were caribou ecology, lichen recovery after fire, burn history, community priorities for caribou hunting, and fire cycle lengths. The percent ratio of current productive caribou habitat to the goal for that habitat determines whether fire should be suppressed in a specific area. The goals for productive caribou habitat, defined as forests older than 50 years, were scaled by fire cycle length and community priority ranking. Thus, the model is an example of co-management: traditional knowledge combined with science in a joint forum, the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board.

This webinar series, hosted by the Indigenous Knowledge Circle of the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium, highlights Indigenous-led work to protect and restore caribou and their habitat.

Past webinars include:

• Jan 2021 - Collaboration, Range Planning and the Porcupine Caribou Herd
• May 2021 - How can range planning for caribou advance reconciliation?
• Mar 2022 - Community-led Planning for Caribou: Changing How We Do Conservation

• Jan 2023 - Caribou Conservation, Treaty Rights, and Guardians in Alberta's Oil Sands

• Nov 2023 - Tâdzié-Sagow Atihk Stewardship Plan - Indigenous Knowledge to Recover Caribou

• May 2024 - Bridging the gap: Revitalizing Tłı̨chǫ Nàowoò (Way of Life) through Ekwǫ̀ (caribou) and Environmental Stewardship