Update as of Dec. 10, 2013 2:45 p.m.: A recent report from a Facebook Vancouver Island hunting site that an elk poacher had been arrested in the Nitinat Lake area with the carcass of a cow elk in the back of his truck is untrue, said Sgt. Ben York of the Conservation Officer Service.
York said an elk had been accidently shot in the area, but the hunter turned himself in immediately. The meat was distributed to the community of Ditidaht, said York, but this occurrence is not remotely related to the incidents of poaching that have angered and frustrated Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations leadership. The 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poachers.
The hunter was not a poacher, said York. “Just a guy who made a mistake.”
WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT:Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations today issued the following statement with respect to the recent unauthorized and illegal slaughters of elk in their traditional territories:
Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations leadership supports the immediate arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the illegal and unjustified recent elk kills in the Barkley Sound and Alberni Inlet areas. The Nuu-chah-nulth Nations are committed to protecting and conserving the wildlife and fisheries resources in their territories. They are committed to working with BC Conservation officers to apprehend and prosecute the individual or individuals responsible for these illegal and unauthorized elk kills. Further, Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations are committed to building a partnership and collaborative working relationship with the BC conservation service.
See Reward: http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2013-12-03/reward
Elk and other wildlife are integral to the culture and well-being of all Nuu-chah-nulth people. The wildlife is not only valued for food, but also has significant cultural value. Traditional values, culture and law prohibit the killing of elk for amusement or sport. Elk are harvested for food and cultural purposes only. The Barkley Sound First Nations are committed to protecting the resources that are within their traditional territories. To this end, there have been, and will continue to be, increased patrols by First Nations aboriginal guardians. This will continue as the Nations develop wildlife management plans and departments of their own.
The wildlife resources that are contained within the First Nations’ territories are for use by those First Nations’ members and other authorized users. Provincial conservation officers agree. For example, the Barkley Sound First Nations emphasize that they do not support hunters from outside First Nations hunting within Barkley Sound First Nations’ territories without permission. The Barkley Sound Nations expect that if members of other nations wish to harvest animals in Barkley Sound territories they will follow the tradition of seeking permission and respecting local rules, laws and culture.
The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations are today announcing a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the recent illegal slaughter of elk in the Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound Areas. The reward is in the amount of $25,000.00.The particulars of the reward are attached.
Jeff Cook, Chief of the Huu-ay-aht Nation, said:
“We are completely opposed to the killing of elk for sport or fun. The meat was left and that troubles us. We will co-operate as much as possible to find those responsible, whoever they are, and see that they are prosecuted.”
About five years ago Ditidaht transplanted 12 elk from the Shaw Creek area to its territory at Nitinaht in an effort to create a sustainable herd with enough numbers that would benefit the people into the future, said Ditidaht Chief Councillor Jack Thompson.
“We were on the verge of being able to hunt about four elk. We were totally disgusted with the slaughter of these elk within our territory and we are in support of the $25,000.00 reward to find the individuals involved so that they will be brought to justice for this slaughter.Elk are an important source of food for Ditidaht people. Elk are also important for cultural purposes. The slaughter of these elk deprives the people of a food source. We cannot tolerate that or sit by without taking action. We will defend our resources.”
Hupacasath Chief Councillor Steven Tatoosh expressed his condemnation of this senseless act alongside his fellow Nuu-chah-nulth leaders.
“Our community supports all efforts to apprehend those involved and see justice done. The management, protection and conservation of our traditional territory, and all its resources goes to the very heart of our people. It is our culture, our tradition, our past, present and future. We are protecting our territory, and we work with all levels and all governments to ensure a senseless act like this does not go without the full extent of justice. The slaughter of these elk cannot go unpunished and those responsible must be brought to justice. We support and contribute to the reward in hope we can prevent this from happening again.”
Chief Councillor Charlie Cootes Sr. of Uchucklesaht said:
“It is a sad state of affairs when hunters go out and slaughter numerous elk putting the entire herd’s existence at risk. The Uchucklesaht Tribe hunters have been trying for three years to harvest one elk for ceremonial purposes for our people and the poachers responsible for this slaughter leave the meat in the bush to rot. The Uchucklesaht Tribe Government fully supports the $25,000.00 reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible of this disgusting act.” Charlie Cootes Sr.
Chief Councillor Moses Martin of Tla-o-qui-aht said he supports an investigation into these elk killings. “It’s one thing to hunt for food and need, but quite another thing to leave behind the carcasses. I hope somebody comes forward with information, so we can try to put a stop to these instances.”
Tseshaht Chief Councillor Hugh Braker supported his fellow Chiefs saying:
“All Tseshaht are disgusted by this slaughter of elk. The killing of the elk and the leaving of the bodies, without taking any of the meat for food is completely contrary to Tseshaht law and custom. Those responsible deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
We urge those responsible to come forward.
If you have information you would like to share, you can call the Report All Poachers and Polluters Tip Line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277)
Or
Call Chief Councillor Hugh Braker at 250-735-9888 or 250-720-7998
