KDC Roosevelt Elk Policy

Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

POLICY STATEMENT AND GUIDELINES FOR ROOSEVELT ELK MANAGEMENT KWAKIUTL DISTRICT COUNCIL PREAMBLE Whereas: Present day Roosevelt Elk populations within Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ territories on Vancouver Island are reduced for a variety of reasons; Whereas: To ensure the existence of healthy populations of Roosevelt Elk populations within Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ territories on Vancouver Island for future generations; Whereas: The Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ community members have aboriginal rights, which include, but are not limited to, the hunting, or harvesting, of wildlife species including Roosevelt Elk. Whereas: The Kwakiutl District Council’s Policy Statement and Guidelines for Roosevelt Elk Management within Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ territories provides a policy tool, or mechanism, to guide the Kwakiutl District Council’s Elk Management Committee in discussions with Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations and with the Province of British Columbia.

Whereas: The Policy Statement outlines the commitment on the part of the Kwakiutl District Council to involve Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations in the development of the policy, and related plans, projects, and programs through adequately resourced Roosevelt Elk Management Policy processes, that are transparent, accessible, accountable, supported by factual information, and are inclusive.

Whereas: The Kwakiutl District Council Roosevelt Elk Management Policy is an instrument to advocate for Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ aboriginal right to hunt Roosevelt Elk; facilitate discussion between Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations and representatives of the Province of British Columbia; facilitate discussion with other First Nation organizations; and monitor and report on Roosevelt Elk populations.

POLICY STATEMENT The Kwakiutl District Council is committed to involving Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations in the development, design and evaluation of Kwakiutl District Council Roosevelt Elk Management Policy and related plans, programs, projects, and services.

The Kwakiutl District Council is committed to implementing the Roosevelt Elk Management Policy in a manner that is transparent, accessible, accountable, inclusive, and supported by factual information. The Kwakiutl District Council is also committed to reporting back to Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations on how their views have been considered in the implementation of the policy.

The Kwakiutl District Council is committed to providing resources adequate for effective and efficient implementation of the Roosevelt Elk Management Policy.

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Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

POLICY SCOPE Rather than a broad commitment to wildlife management, the Policy Statement supports the Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee activities only where the involvement and input of the Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will make a contribution to the development and amendment of policies; plans; projects; and programs. Where it is determined that the Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will be a part of the policy, plan or program development process, the Kwakiutl District Council commits to ensuring that these activities are open, meaningful, timely, and properly resourced.

POLICY AUTHORITY The authority of the Kwakiutl District Council, and the Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee to govern Roosevelt Elk management flows from the Creator to the people of the Nation, and from the people to their Chief and Council, according to the culture, traditions, customs and laws of the Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations. This Policy is issued under the authority of the Kwakiutl District Council Executive.

POLICY APPLICATION The Policy Statement and guidelines apply to the Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee and to Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ and should be followed in all Roosevelt Elk Management Policy processes. Should the KDC cease to be in operation, it will be the responsibility of each Nation with Roosevelt Elk in its respective traditional territory to negotiate tag/permit allocations with the provincial Ministry of Environment, and create and administer their own Roosevelt Elk Management policy.

While this Policy Statement is primarily concerned with the activities of the Kwakiutl District Council Roosevelt Elk Management Committee, the Policy Statement also recognizes the role of Chief and Council in communicating the views of their community member hunters.

APPROVAL FOR POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND PLANNING 1. All formal Kwakiutl District Council Roosevelt Elk Management Committee activities shall require the approval of Chiefs and Councils and/or the Kwakiutl District Council Executive; 2. Developing or amending policy, creating or amending plans, developing or amending projects, and developing or amending programs, where relevant, should have a work plan identifying what Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee activities will be carried out; and 3. Roosevelt Elk Management Policy plans shall be submitted to and approved by Chiefs and Councils and the Kwakiutl District Council Executive.

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Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

ROOSEVELT ELK MANAGEMENT POLICY PRINCIPLES 1. Ensure that Kwakiutl District Council’s Roosevelt Elk Management Committee activities are inclusive, clear, and accessible to the community.

2. Listen as often as talk, practice collaborative problem-solving and consensus-based decision-making.

3. Create appropriate, efficient and effective opportunities for Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ participation in Roosevelt Elk Management.

4. Make information more accessible to Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’.

5. Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ need to see their input reflected in the process, otherwise faith in the Roosevelt Elk Management process may be lost, and the community will hesitate to participate in the future.

6. Wildlife Management is one aspect of successful self-government and land use planning.

7. Seeks to identify change and respond to it as an opportunity and a challenge.

8. Seeks to create win-win situations that contribute to the well-being of the Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations.

9. There needs to be clarity about roles and responsibilities, what the Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations can expect from the policy, and who has the final decision.

10. Factors important in establishing trust include honesty, shared information, transparency of process, consistency, and avoiding surprises.

11. Effective policy needs to place emphasis on understanding, avoid win-lose/adversarial process, and ensure ground rules are in place.

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Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

Schedule “A” KWAKIUTL DISTRICT COUNCIL ROOSEVELT ELK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (EMC) •

The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee consists of four (4) Kwakiutl District Council (KDC) Executive Members;

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee Members are chosen at the discretion of the KDC Executive;

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee has a Chair, two (2) South Island Representatives, and one (1) North Island Representative;

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As of July 20th, 2007 the KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee Members are as follows: John Henderson Vacant Chief Steven Dick Chief Tom Nelson

Chairman, Roosevelt Elk Management Committee Chair South Island Representative, Roosevelt Elk Management Committee South Island Representative, Roosevelt Elk Management Committee North Island Representative, Roosevelt Elk Management Committee

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Each KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee Member is responsible to Roosevelt Elk issues/concerns of KDC Member Nations;

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All existing Kwakiutl District Council policies/procedures are applicable to the KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee;

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KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee decisions that require a Motion will be carried out at a duly convened KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee meeting;

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KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee activities must be open and transparent and the KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee is accountable to the Kwakiutl District Council Executive; and

• All KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee members will provide and receive copies of all relevant correspondence Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations Chief & Councils

Kwakiutl District Council Roosevelt Elk Management Committee

Kwakiutl District Council Executive 4

Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

Schedule “B” KDC ROOSEVELT ELK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (EMC) “REGULAR TAGS” HARVEST •

The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will conduct an annual meeting which will include planning and strategy discussion and resolution of Member Nation elk issues and concerns

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will negotiate with the Ministry of Environment (Vancouver Island Region) for each year’s “Regular Tags” for elk for eligible KDC Member Nations

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will, after discussion of elk issues with eligible KDC Member Nations, determine the annual allocation of “Regular Tags”

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee, or KDC Staff, will distribute the “Regular Tags” allocated by the Elk Management Committee to the eligible KDC Member Nations

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KDC Member Nations, at their discretion, will distribute their allocation of “Regular Tags” to their community member hunter(s)

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee and/or KDC Staff, will conduct communications/correspondence with eligible KDC Member Nations

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee and/or KDC Staff, will conduct communications/correspondence with the Ministry of Environment

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee and/or KDC Staff, will conduct communications/correspondence with other Tribal Organizations and First Nations

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will conduct an annual “season-end review” with eligible Member Nations, and will then report out to the Kwakiutl District Council Executive “REGULAR TAGS” REGULATIONS

1. KDC Member Nations with no elk in their territories are not eligible for “Regular Tags” 2. The Member Nation elk hunter(s) is responsible for sending in the elk tooth sample and the completed hunting report form to the Ministry of Environment

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Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

Schedule “C” KDC ROOSEVELT ELK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (EMC) “ELDERS TAGS” HARVEST “Elders Tags” are to supply Roosevelt Elk meat to elders of those KDC Member Nations, which do not currently have elk in their respective territories •

The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will conduct an annual meeting, which will include planning and strategy discussion and resolution of Member Nation Roosevelt Elk issues and concerns;

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will negotiate with the Ministry of Environment Vancouver Island Region) for each year’s “Elders Tags”;

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will report annually the number of “Elders Tags” available for those eligible Member Nations (hand in hand with annual “Regular Tags” strategy and planning meeting);

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee and/or staff will conduct communications/correspondence with the Ministry of Environment;

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will designate the “Elders Tags” hunter;

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will request applications for elk from eligible Member Nations Chief & Councils on behalf of their elders; and

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The KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee will conduct an annual “season-end review” with eligible Member Nations, and will then report out to the Kwakiutl District Council Executive “ELDERS TAGS” REGULATIONS 1. KDC Member Nations with no elk in their territories are only eligible for an “Elders Tag” elk harvest, or the elk meat distribution; 2. “Elders Tags” are subject to the availability of elk; 3. The designated elk hunter(s) of the “Elders Tags” is required to report the outcome of the hunt/harvest to the KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee, and also send in the elk tooth sample and completed hunting report form to the Ministry of Environment; 4. Each eligible Member Nation will submit to the KDC Roosevelt Elk Management Committee a list of elders who would receive the elk meat distribution; 5. The eligible Member Nations requesting elk meat for their elders must make a payment in full to the selected butcher/meat processor for the cost of packaging their share of the meat prior to the actual hunt/harvest; and 6. The actual distribution of the elk meat to the listed elders is the responsibility of the Member Nation making the request 6

Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

Schedule “D” KDC ROOSEVELT ELK MANAGEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES 1. Make use of on-reserve community facilities when possible; 2. Make use of Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ community member owned catering businesses when possible; 3. Provide a minimum of two (2) weeks notice prior to the Roosevelt Elk Management Committee event; 4. Roosevelt Elk Management Policy notices shall be posted in Band Newsletters and at Band Offices; 5. Travel costs will be made available to those Kwakiutl District Council Member Nations’ representatives (maximum: one representative) who travel to participate in Roosevelt Elk Management Policy discussions; 6. Healthy snack foods and beverages will be provided for any Roosevelt Elk Management meeting/workshop/forum of more than one (1) hour duration; and 7. Lunch or dinner will be provided at any Roosevelt Elk Management meeting/workshop/forum of more than three (3) hours duration.

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Kwakiutl District Council Draft Roosevelt Elk Management Policy adopted By Member Nations December 14th, 2005 Updated: July 20th, 2007

APPENDICES KDC and Member Nation Agreements & Example KDC Member Nations and Member Nation Band Hunter Agreements

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