In my conclusion, I talked about the caribou's iconic role in our cultures. I was actually there when the Innu and Cree nations met for the first time, in February 2023, at Matimekush, near the old town of Schefferville. The discussion focused on the caribou, which people were most concerned about. I think that's why it was so easy for these two nations to join forces and adopt measures that would allow for harvesting based on conservation principles as well as subsistence hunting by our community members.
That said, the caribou, like the bear, plays an important role. In fact, I'd say that many societies around the world have a spiritual connection to the bear, one that has manifested in many ways. For the Innu, Cree, Atikamekw and Anishinabe communities, the caribou has always been a powerful presence in both stories and subsistence hunting.
The environment is a challenge we all face, ourselves included. We are fully prepared to co-operate to address the prospect of a radical decline that will make the caribou population even more vulnerable.