t rThd :l/ z BMflonDiamonds Mc. JANE i 1 ! 1[c1 bEUJtOfl Operator of the EKATI Diamond Mine BHP Bkililon Diamonds Ino. ppti qiq # L- 3 k1 102 4920 52' slreel Yellowknife NT Canada XIA 3T1 (;op Tel 867 669 9292 Fax 667 669 9293 bhpbilliton.com
Distribution List January 10, 2008
RE: EKATI Diamond Mine Caribou and Roads Reports.
Dear Sir/Madam, Please find enclosed the following Caribou and Roads Reports for 2006 and 2007.
1. Caribou and Roads -- Implementing Traditional Knowledge in Wildlife Monitoring at the EKATI Diamond Mine 2006-07 Annual Report September 2007 2. Caribou and Roads -- Implementing Traditional Knowledge in Wildlife Monitoring at the EKATI Diamond Mine 2006 Annual Report — Plain Language Version October 2007. 3. Tuktukkutlu Apkutikkutlu — Pitkuhiitikkut Naunaiyautihainik Umayuitikkut Munagiyutihainik Hamaniekati Diamond Uyagaghiviini 2005 Ukiumi Atauhikmi Titikangit — Kangihinakturnik Ukauhiikaktut. May 2006.
The Inuinaktun translated version of the Caribou and Roads Report for 2006 is currently being translated and will be distributed as soon as this report is available.
The 2007 technical and plain language reports will be completed and distributed in the summer of 2008, after completion of the Caribou and Roads Workshop in March 2008.
Should you have any questions on these reports please contact Helen Butler, Senior Environmental Specialist Closure and Traditional Knowledge, at (867) 669-6104.
Sincerely,
Eric Denholm, Superintendent Permitting and Traditional Knowledge. BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. Distribution List.
Name Affiliation Geoff Clarke Kitikmeot Inuit Association Fred Alias Kitikrneot Inuit Association Donald Havioyak Kitikmeot Inuit Association Jimmy Ross Miyok Kitikmeot Inuit Association Kathleen Racher WLWB Lionel Marcinkoski INAC Susan Fleck GNW I -ENR Kevin O'Reilly IEMA
__f EKATI DIAMOND MINE CARIBOU AND ROADS IMPLEMENTING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN WILDLIFE MONITORING AT THE EKATI DIAMOND MINE 2006 ANNUAL REPORT
EKATI Diamond Mine BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. SEPTEMBER 2007 Caribou and Roads: Implementing Traditional Knowledge in Wildlife Monitoring at the EKATI Diamond Mine
2006 Annual Report
September 2007 Project # 820-2
Prepared for:
BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Prepared by:
Vivian Banci, R.P.Bio, Banci Consulting, Maple Ridge, B.C. Jimmy Hanak, Jack Ovilok and Helen Engoaloak, Kugluktuk NU
Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Vancouver, B.C. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Acknowledgements
The Environment Department (Environment) of BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc (BHP Billiton) at EKATI Diamond Mine (EKATI) was of great assistance to the project. The Elders Advisory Group and BHP Billiton thank the elders and the community of Kugluktuk, and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) for their participation. Marion Bolt did an admirable job of translating during the workshop.
The English version of this report has been adapted into a plain language version which will be translated into Inuinnaktun. The plain language version for this year is accompanied by the translated version of last year’s (2005-2006) report, thanks to the hard work of Helen Enogaloak, Jane Taipana and Annie Kellogok of Kugluktuk, with much assistance from the elders of the community. The lag in translation has been because translators are not readily available. We will do our best to ensure that this year’s report and all future materials are translated.
Photos taken during 2006 visits to the EKATI mine site and at the March 2007 workshop in Kugluktuk are by Vivian Banci, unless otherwise acknowledged. Please acknowledge photographers in any other use of these photos.
The caption for the title page photo is: Inokhok people, EKATI airstrip.
Photo 1. Caribou bull climbing kimberlite stock pile at Misery mine, August 2006.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report - i - Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) TABLE OF CONTENTS
Caribou and Roads: Implementing Traditional Knowledge in Wildlife Monitoring at the EKATI Diamond Mine 2006 Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements...... i
Table of Contents...... iii List of Figures...... iv List of Tables ...... iv List of Plates ...... iv
1. Introduction ...... 1–1
2. Elders Advisory Group ...... 2–1
3. Personnel and Methods ...... 3–1
4. 2006 EKATI Visits ...... 4–1 4.1 Beartooth Snow Fence ...... 4–1 4.2 Annual Elders Visit...... 4–2 4.3 Inokhok ...... 4–2
5. March 2007 Workshop ...... 5–1 5.1 Introductions ...... 5–2 5.2 Naonaiyaotit Traditional Knowledge Project ...... 5–3 5.3 Status of Caribou in the North ...... 5–3 5.4 Caribou and the EKATI Diamond Mine...... 5–10 5.4.1 Pigeon Valley and Sable Road ...... 5–10 5.4.2 Inokhok...... 5–12 5.4.3 Beartooth Fence...... 5–15 5.4.4 Roads and Caribou Crossings...... 5–15 5.5 Elders Visits to EKATI...... 5–17 5.6 Translation and Communication...... 5–18
6. Action Points and Plans for 2007-08...... 6–1
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report - iii - Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Table of Contents
7. Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006...... 7–1
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 EKATI Diamond Mine Main Camp, Pits, Roads and Airstrip, as of 2006...... 4–3
2 Barren-ground caribou herds in the north (from Government of Northwest Territories, Department of Environment)...... 5–4
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1 March 13-14 2007 Kugluktuk Workshop Participants ...... 5–1
LIST OF PLATES
Photo Page
1 Caribou bull climbing kimberlite stock pile at Misery mine, August 2006...... i
2 Jack Ovilok and Jimmy Hanak looking for caribou, August 2006...... 3–1
3 Beartooth snow fence, June 2006...... 4–1
4 Aerial View of Beartooth Snow Fence and Beartooth Pit, August 2006...... 4–2
5 Marion Bolt and Helen Butler of BHP Billiton, March 2007 workshop...... 5–2
6 At table: Andrew Anaktak, Allen Niptanatiak, Charity Clarkin of BHP Billiton, and Jack Ovilok, March 2007 workshop...... 5–3
7 Jorgen Bolt, March 2007 workshop...... 5–6
8 Jack Ovilok and Joseph Niptanatiak, March 2007 workshop...... 5–7
9 Helen Butler, Red Pedersen, Jorgen Bolt and David Abernethy, March 2007 workshop...... 5–8
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report - iv - Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Table of Contents
10 Joseph Niptanatiak, Marion Bolt, Mona Tiktalek and David Abernethy, March 2007 workshop...... 5–9
11 Mamie Oniak, Laura Kohotok and Jane Taipana studying NTKP Placenames Atlas, March 2007 workshop...... 5–11
12 Post-calving caribou trails through Pigeon Creek valley looking west, June 2006...... 5–11
13 Cow approaching Pigeon culvert, June 2006...... 5–12
14 Caribou on hill slope with inokhok overlooking Pigeon Valley, October 2006...... 5–14
15 Workshop March 2007 discussions...... 5–14
16 David Abernethy Presentation, March 2007 workshop...... 5–16
17 2006 Elders Advisory Group: Jack Ovilok, Helen Enogaloak and Jimmy Hanak...... 5–18
18 Workshop March 2007 discussions...... 5–19
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report - v - Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 1. INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction
The Caribou and Roads Traditional Knowledge Project was initiated in 2002. The objective is to involve traditional knowledge in a meaningful way in the environmental monitoring program at the BHP Billiton EKATI Diamond Mine (Figure 1). Since then the project has resulted in the formation of a permanent “Elders Advisory Group”. With the assistance of a professional wildlife biologist Kugluktuk elders provide advice to BHP Billiton using traditional and scientific knowledge. This document reports on activities related to this project for 2006-2007.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 1–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 2. ELDERS ADVISORY GROUP
2. Elders Advisory Group
The Elders Advisory Group (EAG) has changed since inception of the project because of deaths of elders and changes in assistants. However in the last two years the group has remained stable. It consists of Jack Ovilok (elder), Jimmy Hanak (elder) and Helen Enogaloak (assistant and translator). Largely because of Helen’s work with the Elders’ Centre in Kugluktuk, the EAG has more regularly involved the other elders in the community through frequent communication and discussion about the project. As a result, the Elders Advisory Group has become a conduit for involving the knowledge of the majority of elders in the community.
There were two visits to the EKATI Minesite in 2006 on behalf of this project. The first, in June, involved erecting a temporary fence at Beartooth Pit. The second, the annual elders visit, was held in early August. The community follow-up workshop was held in March of 2007. This report describes these activities during the mine site visits, and recommendations that arose from the workshop.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 2–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 3. PERSONNEL AND METHODS
3. Personnel and Methods
Our methods are simple. Observations on how caribou interact with mine infrastructure, roads without traffic and roads with traffic, are made for a week during August. In August the weather is typically cool and dry, there are few biting flies, and usually there are some caribou on the mine site that we can watch. The smaller groups of caribou that are present at this time of year are more apt to be in the vicinity of the mine for longer periods than are the larger groups that pass through the mine during spring migration and post-calving.
The daily schedule is flexible and shaped by the elders’ wishes, and the presence of wildlife. We drive the roads in search of caribou. When caribou are seen, time is spent observing their behaviour. If there is an opportunity, the elders participate in diverting caribou that have strayed onto roads, near pits, or other dangerous areas along with the students and technicians of the Environment Department. The biologist takes notes and photos to help document information for the elders.
The Elders Advisory Group visits pits and other mine infrastructure so that they can understand the mining process. Often other environmental professionals (for example, those people who deal with waste and contaminated sites, fisheries and water quality monitoring) spend time with the elders. These interactions help foster learning and understanding for both elders and EKATI employees.
The mine site and roads are over-flown by helicopter to gain an overview of the mine and its footprint, and to help the elders to understand how the mine has changed from the previous year. An afternoon on an esker is planned away from the mine site to allow the elders to observe wildlife in areas not affected by development.
Photo 2. Jack Ovilok and Jimmy Hanak looking for caribou, August 2006.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 3–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Personnel and Methods
We recognize that the Elders Advisory Group is not representative of all elders and that time had to be allotted for discussion and deliberation once the summer’s work was over. For the past two years Helen Enogaloak has taken the initiative to ensure that the Elders Advisory Group had the opportunity to talk about the mine and the project during elders’ gatherings in Kugluktuk, before the workshop is held.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 3–2 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 4. 2006 EKATI VISITS
4. 2006 EKATI Visits
4.1 Beartooth Snow Fence Beartooth Pit was first identified as a concern by the Elders Advisory Group in 2004. Caribou had unimpeded access to the edge of the pit from the east, extending from the dam at Bearclaw Lake to Upper Panda Lake. The pit is lower than the surrounding terrain, giving caribou an unimpeded view, thus inokhok and/or a berm would not serve as visual barriers or deterrents. Entrenched caribou trails, as well as observations, indicated that this area and these habitats were attractive to caribou.
After discussions which culminated at the workshop held in Kugluktuk in January 2006, the elders recommended that BHP Billiton erect a temporary snow fence to protect caribou while mining was occurring. This was meant to be a temporary measure, to be removed once mining at the pit and adjacent traffic had ceased. The fence, snow accumulation and its effectiveness at deterring caribou needed to be monitored.
During June 26-30 2006,a group came to EKATI to build the fence. The group consisted of Moses Elatiak (an elder), Louie Kakolak, Helen Enogaloak and Vivian Banci. Approximately half of the 1100 m fence was built at that time. During the August visit, two youths (Andrew Mahoney Enogaloak and Preston Kaitak) helped to complete the fence, along with the assistance of Environment Department technicians (Photos 3 and 4). The involvement of youth has always been a request of the elders, so that they could participate in the program, learn from the elders, and potentially obtain future employment at EKATI.
Photo 3. Beartooth snow fence, June 2006.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 4–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 2006 EKATI Visits
Photo 4. Aerial View of Beartooth Snow Fence and Beartooth Pit, August 2006. 4.2 Annual Elders Visit The Elder Advisory Group visited EKATI in August 2-9, 2006. The timing was earlier than in previous years because of group commitments with other projects.
Few caribou were present on site and the majority of time was spent on improvements to the inokhok diversion fences. One afternoon was spent with Jane Howe of BHP Billiton Yellowknife and one with David Abernethy of BHP Billiton EKATI. We reviewed our past recommendations for improving specific crossings on Misery and Fox Roads with David. 4.3 Inokhok During the June and August visits, we bolstered inokhok at the three places where they had been erected; Airstrip, Pigeon and Fox. Building more inokhok and making them more visible by painting “hats” on them and attaching flagging tape was a recommendation of the Kugluktuk elders during the 2006 workshop.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 4–2 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) gis no. 648-1-08 Job No. 648-1 March 9, 2006
Pond
T o S a b le Bearclaw Lake ± Beartooth Pit Pelzer Pond Polar Panda Waste Rock Storage Cell B
Dyke B Panda Pit Cell A Grizzly Lake Waste Rock Storage
Cell C Residence and Main Plant Koala Koala North Pit Long Pit Lake Containment Facility (LLCF) Dyke C
AN Building
Kodiak Airstrip Lake Cell D T o Facility Litttle M Lake is e r D y yk e D
Cell E Larry Lake Leslie Lake Moose Lake
Lake Nero
Nema Lake
Fox Pit 3 Hump Lake
1:50,000 0 750 1,500
Metres
Projection: UTM12, NAD83
EKATI Diamond Mine Main Camp, Pits, FIGURE 1 Roads and Airstrip, as of 2005 5. MARCH 2007 WORKSHOP
5. March 2007 Workshop
The annual workshop was held in Kugluktuk on March 13 (afternoon) and March 14 (day) 2007 in the Copper Room of the Kugluktuk Community Centre. During the workshop activities of the past summer are discussed and next year’s work is planned. BHP Billiton’s plans for mining during the coming year of 2007 were explained. The workshop also presented an opportunity for BHP Billiton to discuss other issues they wished to bring to the elders’ attention, and issues on which they wished to obtain feedback.
Over the 1½ days, 28 individuals from Kugluktuk attended the workshop (Table 1). Although the primary reason for the workshop is to share observations with Kugluktuk elders, the meeting is open to other interested community members. This year, two guests from the Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut were invited. We asked Regional Biologist Mathieu Dumond and Wildlife Officer Allen Niptanatiak to attend in order to share their knowledge with us regarding what was happening with caribou in the north.
We were happy to see Amanda Niptanatiak come to the workshop, the first youth to come to EKATI with founding elders of the Caribou and Roads project Tom Kokak and Walter Bolt. Kevin Tweedle attended on behalf of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA) and Geoff Clarke, KIA Lands Department Manager, stopped in briefly to address the group.
Table 1 March 13-14 2007 Kugluktuk Workshop Participants
Name Affiliation Allen Niptanatiak Wildlife Officer, Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut (invited) Amanda Niptanatiak Caribou and Roads Program Youth Participant 2002 Andrew Anaktak Geoff Clarke KIA Environment and Lands Manager (visitor) Charity Clarkin BHP Billiton, Yellowknife David Abernethy BHP Billiton, EKATI mine Helen Butler BHP Billiton, Yellowknife Helen Enogaloak Assistant / interpreter, 2006 Elders Advisory Group, report translator Jack Ovilok 2006 Elders Advisory Group Jackie Novoligak Jacob Kohoktak Jane Taipana Report translator Jayko Patangayak Jimmy Hanak 2006 Elders Advisory Group Jorgen Bolt BHP Billiton EKATI Environmental Technician and NTKP Researcher (2004-2206) Joseph Niptanatiak Kevin Tweedle KIA Environmental Technician, Kugluktuk Laura Kohoktak Lena Hitkoklok Louie Kakolak
(continued)
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Table 1 March 13-14 2007 Kugluktuk Workshop Participants (completed)
Name Affiliation Mamie Oniak Marion Bolt Interpreter Mathieu Dumond Regional Biologist, Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut (invited) Mona Tiktalek KIA Community Liaison Natalie Clark Golder Associates, Kugluktuk Peter Kigiuna Preston Kaitak Caribou and Roads Program Participant 2006 Red Pedersen Roger Hitkoklok Sadie Hanak Teddy Novoligak Vivian Banci Wildlife Biologist and Facilitator, 2006 Elders Advisory Group; Rescan Environmental Services, Vancouver
5.1 Introductions There have been personnel changes at BHP Billiton. New people are now working with traditional knowledge and the elders advisory group. We welcomed their participation. Three representatives from BHP Billiton attended the workshop; Helen Butler, David Abernethy and Charity Clarkin. Helen Butler is thanked for speaking on behalf of BHP Billiton and taking notes during the workshop.
Photo 5. Marion Bolt and Helen Butler of BHP Billiton, March 2007 workshop.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–2 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
5.2 Naonaiyaotit Traditional Knowledge Project Recently BHP Billiton officially transferred the Naonaiyaotit Traditional Knowledge Project (NTKP) back to the Inuit of the west Kitikmeot, in the care of the KIA (Kitikmeot Inuit Association). A ceremony was held in March of 2006 to commemorate this transfer.
Our work with the Caribou and Roads Project arose out of the regional NTKP which covers the Slave Geological Province. The smaller (in area) Caribou and Roads project is concerned with wildlife at the EKATI mine site. Together with the NTKP, we can use traditional knowledge to understand regional movements of wildlife and people, and more specific questions such as how we can protect caribou at the mine site.
Photo credit: David Abernethy Photo 6. At table: Andrew Anaktak, Allen Niptanatiak, Charity Clarkin of BHP Billiton, and Jack Ovilok, March 2007 workshop. 5.3 Status of Caribou in the North Mathieu Dumond gave workshop participants a description of the current status of caribou herds in the north. This is not meant to be a detailed account of his report, but a summary of his main points.
Mathieu began with discussing the different herds in the traditional areas of Inuit (Figure 2).
• The Bluenose West herd is found around Great Bear Lake. This herd travels to their calving grounds at Paulatuk.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–3 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
• The Bluenose East herd are the caribou that are seen around Kugluktuk and east of Great Bear Lake.
• The Bathurst herd spends the summer on the west side of Bathurst Inlet, currently their calving area, and in winter goes to the trees.
• The Ahiak herd is found east of Bathurst Inlet and Queen Maud Gulf. They summer and winter roughly in the same areas as the Bathurst herd.
• The Dolphin and Union herd, also known as Victoria Island caribou, summer on Victoria Island and winter on the mainland. Surveys conducted on the Bluenose West, Bluenose East and Bathurst herds indicate that these herds are declining. There are many influences on the numbers of caribou. We don’t know what exactly the cause is, it could be natural cycles. In Inuit life times many people have seen caribou numbers go up and down.
At present, mainland caribou (Bathurst and Bluenose) are staying far from Kugluktuk. In normal years the harvest consists of 80% mainland and 20% Island caribou. Because the Bathurst herd is so far away this year, the opposite has occurred. About 70% Island and 20% mainland caribou have been harvested.
Figure 2. Barren-ground caribou herds in the north (from Government of Northwest Territories, Department of Environment).
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–4 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
The two main issues are the decline of caribou, and that the community needs access to caribou meat. Community elders have always monitored the cycles in caribou numbers, which regularly go up and down. Through their knowledge, the community can help with the recovery of the herd.
We can educate hunters and newcomers to correctly select caribou and harvest meat. The community should send good hunters, to reduce waste and make sure good meat is harvested. Having caribou to hunt depends on the numbers of caribou that are produced each year. Pregnant cows should be protected. Usually calving grounds are naturally protected from hunting because of difficulties for access, the hunting season for non-Inuit is closed, skins are of poor quality and not desired, and travel to these areas is difficult. Calving areas should be protected from other activities as well. Activities such as mining and exploration should be better monitored and managed, especially from aircraft traffic.
There are other things that people can do to protect wildlife. For example, different organizations need to work together to reduce pollution. This relates both to industry and communities.
The following are comments from workshop participants. These are not reported verbatim but reflect what was translated or a summary of what was said in English.
Joseph Niptanatiak:
Since he was young, Joseph has seen caribou numbers drop. He sees lots of wolves now. Caribou only have one young per cow, however, wolves will have 7- 8 puppies. There are many wolves on the land now. In 1963-64, government bounty hunters were hired to poison wolves for about 5 years. Joseph noticed that the Bathurst herd increased in numbers after that. In 2006 lots of wolves and caribou were killed by wolves.
(Upon review, Mathieu Dumond provided additional information on wolves. Although there are many puppies born, only 1-3 typically survive. The wolf control program of the 1960s using poison not only killed wolves but also many non-target animals including wolverines, foxes and scavenging birds.
Additional note from Vivian Banci: In the NTKP the elder consultants talk about how many other animals were also killed during the government wolf poisoning program).
David Abernethy:
There are more bears (predators), foxes, wolves, and wolverines today. We can’t just point at wolves for causing the decline in caribou numbers, lots of factors could be at play. Caribou undergo natural cycles, numbers go down and go up and wolf numbers go up and down along with them. Wolf dens at EKATI are being monitored.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–5 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo 7. Jorgen Bolt, March 2007 workshop.
David Abernethy and Jorgen Bolt:
Wolf numbers in the EKATI area are declining. Jorgen has seen this as well.
Mathieu Dumond:
His understanding from the Government of the NWT North Slave regional biologist (Dean Cluff) is that wolves are starting to decline.
Jorgen Bolt:
Wolves certainly can be a factor in caribou declines. But wolf and caribou have been living together for thousands of years. Wolves will decline when the caribou decline, the wolves go through cycles too.
In past decades there have been a lot of changes in the (Kitikmeot) region. There is lots of development and harvesting is now easier with snow machines. The community has grown so harvest over the past 15 years has increased
The weather has been changing. In the past four years, we have had freezing rain during winter. This has happened before but has increased in recent years. Caribou have a hard time finding food, especially if females are not in good health or condition. They will have a hard time having calves and this can influence the dynamics of the herd. This was the case on Victoria Island after a
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–6 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
few years of freezing rain. Many factors can affect the herd and if they all come together at the same time, it can cause a decline in numbers.
Photo 8. Jack Ovilok and Joseph Niptanatiak, March 2007 workshop.
Joseph Niptanatiak:
When there is freezing rain, the herd starts looking for different areas to find food.
Red Pederson:
From 1950 to 1955 were the worst years for freezing rain. In January 1955 there was a very bad episode. The caribou population dropped and it took a long time for the herd to come back again.
Mathieu Dumond:
In response to a question from Jorgen Bolt: “How do you define each of the herds if they are mixed together?”
Some animals move from one herd to another. After many years of monitoring, we have found that most caribou go back to the same calving ground and rut together. A smaller number go to the other herd’s calving ground.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–7 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo 9. Helen Butler, Red Pedersen, Jorgen Bolt and David Abernethy, March 2007 workshop.
Mixing happens occasionally, but not all the time. Only in the last 25 years has the Island herd come south. Island caribou come south to the mainland and sometimes they take the mainland caribou back with them. A genetic study is underway for each of the herds. This study will help us to understand this issue better.
In response to another question about how the government tracks the herds:
It depends on the time of year. The government has conducted aerial surveys, and more recently used satellite / radio collars. This is for long-term tracking, the collars are placed on cows. No collars are placed on bulls because their necks get bigger during the rut.
Jorgen Bolt:
(On why only females are collared); Also, the bulls don’t go all the way to calving grounds and all the way into the trees (during winter).
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–8 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Mathieu Dumond:
In response to questions from Red Pedersen regarding how many collars in the Bathurst herd and how that can provide an accurate idea of movements of the herd:
There are between 10 and 15 collared animals in the Bathurst herd. Although this seems like a low number, it represents a much larger proportion because caribou have tendency to move in groups spread over a large range. This still represents the overall movement of the herd.
Photo credit: Helen Butler Photo 10. Joseph Niptanatiak, Marion Bolt, Mona Tiktalek and David Abernethy, March 2007 workshop.
Vivian Banci
At the recent caribou workshop in Inuvik (Caribou Summit) there was discussion that there were not enough collars on Bathurst Herd because some caribou had split off into other herds, notably the Ahiak and Beverly. More collars are planned to be deployed this year.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–9 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Mathieu Dumond:
The Government of the Northwest Territories is being pressured to provide more data and monitoring of the herds.
Vivian Banci
Government biologists as yet do not have access to the traditional knowledge in the NTKP. If they did, it would help them to manage caribou better. For example, the elders told us that caribou calved also on the north side of Contwoyto Lake and in small pocket areas on the southeast of Bathurst. In order to understand what caribou are doing at EKATI, we not only have to look at caribou at the mine site, but also their movements outside of EKATI.
This NTPK is proprietary to KIA, and is therefore not for general use by the public. BHP Billiton has permission to use this traditional knowledge for EKATI. If a company is planning a mine, they can use it to help understand where the wildlife are and where the camping sites are, to help protect such areas. Such sites will also be important for archaeology.
The KIA has given permission for this information to be used for the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road project. It was designed for, and is most useful as a land-use planning tool.
Hopefully through our work with the Caribou and Roads Project we can assist the KIA with how the NTKP can be applied and used. Elders can talk to KIA as well, to access and use this information.
Kevin Tweedle (KIA)
The KIA is hiring someone to work with the NTKP. One of his first jobs will be to put the NTKP on the internet and make it more accessible to Inuit.
Comment: The new Information Technology Coordinator for the KIA Department of Lands, Environment, and Resources in Kugluktuk is Darryl Havioyak. 5.4 Caribou and the EKATI Diamond Mine We used photos to show the workshop participants the areas at EKATI that we had visited, and what we had done in 2006 for caribou.
5.4.1 Pigeon Valley and Sable Road As in previous years, we saw evidence of caribou using this valley and the culvert. After calving, a large number of caribou passed through the valley including the culvert and left their tracks behind (Photo 12). In June we watched a cow that appeared to want to pass through the culvert
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–10 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo 11. Mamie Oniak, Laura Kohotok and Jane Taipana studying NTKP Placenames Atlas, March 2007 workshop.
Photo 12. Post-calving caribou trails through Pigeon Creek valley looking west, June 2006.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–11 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
(Photo 13). Our observations suggest that this valley is important for caribou movement. Monitoring for caribou during spring migration and post-calving will be important once construction on the road and mining of the Pigeon Pit begins.
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg Photo 1. Cow approaching Pigeon culvert, June 2006.
5.4.2 Inokhok We built inokhok in three places; Pigeon Valley across the Sable Road, Fox Road at the Nero- Nema Lakes crossing, and the airstrip. In 2006 improvements were made to the inokhok as per the recommendations of the elders during the 2006 workshop. We built more, painted dark hats on them, and made them bigger. We have to wait for the caribou to return during spring migration and monitor to see whether the inokhok will be effective at deterring caribou.
In October 2006 caribou were seen in the Pigeon hill region, all around the inokhok. This doesn’t mean that the inokhok are not working. In the NTKP, the elders explained that the inokhok, when originally built by the elders and their elders before them for purposes of hunting caribou, were used during the spring migration. Also, the women and children chased the caribou who avoided the inokhok but were funnelled to the hunters hiding behind their blinds.
Walter Bolt and Tom Kokak emphasized that they did not know if the inokhok would deter caribou during other seasons, or other conditions. This is how they were hunted in the past. That
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–12 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
is why monitoring during different seasons, and with different methods of deterring caribou are needed.
We have described before how the airstrip is a difficult place to erect inokhok because there is no ridge or obvious high ground where inokhok can be built. We have been building inokhok here for 3 years but need to make a lot more. There aren’t enough rocks so we talked to the Environment Department about putting rocks there during winter, so that they would be available in the summer to build more inokhok.
The following workshop discussions relate to the inokhok:
Joseph Niptanatiak:
Joseph used inokhok when he used to hunt caribou with bow and arrow (in the past). In springtime caribou will go along the inokhok and by them, and follow them. It is really hot in July; then caribou don’t care about inokhok. They just walk by when it’s really hot. Inuit start using inokhok again in the fall (August). When it is colder the caribou are more skittish, the inokhok may work better in the fall. Also, when they’re in a big herd caribou don’t care about inokhok.
In the spring, caribou get used to the inokhok. We need to move them around. They require maintenance. When Inuit were hunting, they would fix up the inokhok. Inokhok were placed where people hunted (not like what we are doing at EKATI).
Alan Niptanatiak
In fall time caribou are skittish and scared and get spooked very easily.
Vivian Banci
This past October, EKATI staff took pictures at Pigeon with caribou all around the inokhok, and not reacting. It didn’t appear at that time that they were scared of the inokhok.
Roger Hitkoklok:
In spring time when caribou are migrating the inokhok have to be moved around because the caribou will get used to them and will no longer move away. Inuit used to fix them up again when they would go hunting, they put new moss on the tops. We should use wolves to deter the caribou because caribou are scared of wolves.
Joseph Niptanatiak
The caribou know the land and if you put the inokhok in rocky areas they don’t pay attention.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–13 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo credit: BHP Billiton Photo 14. Caribou on hill slope with inokhok overlooking Pigeon Valley, October 2006.
Photo credit: David Abernethy Photo 2. Workshop March 2007 discussions.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–14 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
A discussion followed on where the inokhok should be placed and what they should be made of. Helen Butler asked if inokhok made out of wood would work. They can be moved around and are easy to build. We could also make them bigger so that they stand out more. Roger Hitkoklok liked the idea of wolf silhouettes that could be moved around. Marion Bolt asked how long we need the inokhok for. For about 25 years, after operations cease and the pit flooding equipment was set up was Helen Butler’s reply.
Helen Butler
We have lots of inokhok in three places now. We would like to see if these work first before we start expanding to other areas or moving the inokhok around.
David Abernethy
In the spring we will need people from the elders of the community to come up to the mine to watch and see if and how the caribou interact with the roads and with the inokhok. We would need them to be available and prepared to come on short notice.
Helen Butler
If we are unable to bring people in on short notice, BHP Billiton could share their findings and observations on caribou with the Elders Advisory Group when they come on their annual visit.
Helen Enogaloak
She likes the idea of using wood for the inokhok. We could use old coveralls, safety vests and hardhats, like scarecrows. Instead of throwing used items in the dump, they could be useful.
5.4.3 Beartooth Fence David Abernethy described his observations of the fence this past winter. Tracks indicated that one caribou came to the fence but was turned away and did not cross, so it appears to be effective. High snow levels during the winter, however, buried most of the fence. Environment personnel will repair any damage to the fence as soon as possible in time for spring migration and post-calving.
5.4.4 Roads and Caribou Crossings David Abernethy described the EKATI wildlife effects monitoring program. There are dedicated Environment technicians that work on wildlife, including Jorgen Bolt. Every summer four additional temporary wildlife technicians are hired. All information is collected in detail and stored in a database. The information includes ground observations on how caribou interact with the mine, roads, pits, and traffic.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–15 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo 3. David Abernethy Presentation, March 2007 workshop.
Caribou are also monitored using aerial surveys. The aerial surveys cover a bigger area than in previous years. The objective is to see if caribou are near the mine site, if they are going towards or away from the mine site. Very few caribou were present on site last year. In the spring, most passed the site further on the east
David Abernethy talked about what BHP Billiton is doing at EKATI and how the company is bringing traditional knowledge into the responsibilities of the Environment Department. He showed where and how the recommendations of the elders have been implemented. Caribou crossings on Fox and Misery Road have been fixed to allow caribou to cross easier.
BHP Billiton has implemented other measures to allow caribou to cross roads safely and to keep them out of pits. For example, at Fox and Misery pits big rock piles (berms) have been placed around the pit so that caribou won’t go into the pit. The Fox road mine water pipe was covered with soft gravel because it was too hard for caribou to cross.
At the Pigeon culvert on the Sable Road, one of the recommendations of the elders was to add ramps or caribou crossings on the edges of the roads. This road (Pigeon) is still under construction and BHP Billiton won’t be doing anything more with this (addition of ramps) until the road has been constructed. The road on either side of the culvert is very steep and work
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–16 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
remains to be done to improve it for haul traffic. Until this work is finished the company won’t know how to modify it for caribou traffic.
Joseph Niptanatiak:
Misery Road runs north to south and the caribou cross east to west. Elders had asked for ramps on this road to help the caribou cross. Joseph helped pick where those ramps should be placed when the road was built. He is happy to see that the ramps are working. He likes that BHP Billiton is working with elders.
It is important that BHP Billiton plans where they will put crossings for caribou, before they build the road. It is also important to ensure that new roads are level, as close to the tundra as possible, to make it easy for caribou to cross.
The waste rock piles are getting too long and stretching too far out. Now caribou are going further east, because they are following the leader caribou. There are so many mines now (including Diavik and EKATI), and it is now starting to get dangerous for animals.
Once he was in a helicopter and saw lots of caribou going to the west, around the mine. This was a big herd. 5.5 Elders Visits to EKATI We have been talking about bringing other community elders to the EKATI mine site so that they could spend some time in a location near the mine to practice traditional activities. The visit would provide a way to involve elders who did not have the opportunity to visit in the past. It would allow elders to illustrate to EKATI employees some of their traditional activities.
Logistically, holding such a “culture camp” away from the mine site was difficult to accomplish. Helen Butler presented the idea of a one week elders’ visit to the mine site for some 10-12 Kugluktuk elders. Although it wasn’t the same as the original plan, it would allow elders to see the site and share their traditional knowledge in ways that they wanted to.
The elders preferred mid to late August for the visit because there were less biting insects at that time and it wasn’t too hot for them. Helen Enogaloak asked if it still would be possible to fish and dry caribou meat.
Vivian Banci suggested that the elders and Helen discuss the visit and come up with a list of activities of what they would like to do. These activities could include making tea on the land, fishing, making caribou dry meat, picking berries, and visiting archaeological sites. The list should then be given to BHP Billiton and they could come up with a schedule for the week. The elders suggested different activities for each day, with some rest time also scheduled in so that the elders don’t get too tired.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–17 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo 17. 2006 Elders Advisory Group: Jack Ovilok, Helen Enogaloak and Jimmy Hanak. 5.6 Translation and Communication Translating reports and communications into the Kitikmeot dialect of Inuinaktun has been a difficult endeavour. There are few capable translators as the government standard does not recognize the spelling and conventions used by the elders. This is why reports from previous years have not been translated. We recognize that this has hindered our ability to communicate with the elders and we are doing our best to try and remedy the problem.
Marion Bolt:
We need not only to invite elders, but also “middle-aged” people to these meetings. Today, there are only youth and elders present, but middle-aged people also need to know what is happening at EKATI.
There should be a public meeting perhaps every 2-3 weeks to share what is happening at EKATI. Information should not only be shared by the elders advisory group (Helen, Jack and Jimmy) at the Elders Centre. Perhaps the Elders Advisory Group could go to the Youth Centre and share their information with the youths as well.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–18 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Photo 18. Workshop March 2007 discussions.
Vivian Banci
The workshop is specifically for this project, and the elders. Perhaps we could schedule a public meeting at the end of our workshop, to share our knowledge with the rest of the community.
Helen Butler
Each year BHP Billiton presents results of the Environmental program to the community. This would be an opportunity to pass on information from the Caribou and Roads Project. But it is also a good idea for elders to pass this information on themselves, not just BHP Billiton.
Vivian Banci
We could do short reports and updates more frequently, if we have a translator.
Regarding questions about youth involvement: Laura Kohoktak asked if youth go to the mine with the elders. Vivian Banci talked about the youth that have worked on this project with the elders. Helen Butler mentioned that Jean Bussey takes elders and youth on archaeology trips to the mine.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–19 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) March 2007 Workshop
Helen Butler
“Thank you to everyone for coming. Traditional knowledge is important to BHP Billiton. I thank you for your recommendations. We would also like to hear from elders if the recommendations are working, and we would like to hear from elders if BHP Billiton is doing a good job protecting the caribou at EKATI.”
Laura Kohoktak
“I am very happy to have a workshop and happy to be here.”
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 5–20 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 6. ACTION POINTS AND PLANS FOR 2007-08
6. Action Points and Plans for 2007-08
1. Inokhok Monitoring: An outstanding plan for this fiscal year was to implement a monitoring program for the inokhok, if caribou came through the mine site during spring migration. The monitoring team was to consist of an elder and a youth, or two youths, if an elder could not make the trip, and a translator/facilitator. The team would watch how caribou respond to the inokhok using behavioural observations over a 1-week period. We planned to erect remote cameras on some of the inokhok.
Caribou did not come through the mine site during spring migration 2007 in sufficient numbers to permit monitoring. We will try again in spring 2008.
2. Inokhok If possible, available wood will be used to build inokhok, such as scarecrows. However, we will wait until after monitoring of existing inokhok before any other major changes are made.
3. Beartooth Fence The fence will be monitored to ensure it is being effective at keeping caribou out of Beartooth Pit. Repairs, as necessary, will be made after the winter season.
4. Community Elders Visit: Helen Enogaloak will present a list of suggested activities to BHP Billiton for their consideration. Twill then put together a proposed schedule for the visit, and forward this to Helen Enogaloak to present to the elders for their feedback. This is a one-time event and does not affect the annual elders visit.
5. Annual Elders Visit: Timing of the annual elders visit will be determined after the community elders visit has been planned.
6. 2007-08 Workshop:
• The elders have requested translation equipment and headsets to be used
• An agenda will be prepared and translated for all participants prior to the workshop.
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 6–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) 7. CARIBOU AND ROADS PROGRAM EKATI PHOTOS 2006
7. Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–1 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–2 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–3 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–4 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–5 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–6 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–7 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–8 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–9 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–10 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–11 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–12 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–13 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2) Caribou and Roads Program EKATI Photos 2006
Photo credit: Charles Klengenberg
September 2007 Caribou and Roads BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. 2006-07 Annual Report 7–14 Rescan™ Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #820-2)