Liard First Nation (LFN) has declared a hunting ban for non-Kaska and non-local hunters this season.
“LFN members are already seeing increased hunting pressure and experiencing a displacement of their Kaska aboriginal rights,” LFN said in an advisory Aug. 10.
“As a result, LFN is forced to restrict hunting at Frances Lake, Frances River, the Alaska Highway and side roads in the Rancheria area, the Nahanni Range Road, and on the Liard River. These areas will be closely monitored and inspected.”
Harvest will be restricted to Kaska citizens, the advisory says, as well as residents of communities within Kaska traditional territory.
Chief Stephen Charlie did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
LFN’s declaration follows in the footsteps of the other Kaska First Nation within the Yukon — Ross River Dena Council has required in recent years for non-Kaska hunters to obtain separate permits from its office before being allowed to hunt on its traditional territory, and has also issued hunting moratoriums in several areas.
The Yukon government does not officially acknowledge Ross River Dena Council’s hunting permits. While it hasn’t made a specific public acknowledgement of Liard First Nation’s declaration, the territorial government said in a press release Aug. 21, without mentioning any specific First Nations, that licensed hunters “do not require permission to hunt on non-Settlement Lands in any traditional territory.”
Neither Ross River Dena Council nor Liard First Nation have signed final agreements, and therefore do not have settlement lands.
The press release notes that hunters require written permission from First Nations if they’re hunting on Category A settlement lands, or hunting wood bison or elk on settlement lands, but otherwise, “the rules of general application apply.”
“The Government of Yukon reminds all hunters to do so safely, responsibly and respectfully,” the release says.
Contact Jackie Hong at jackie.hong@yukon-news.com