Southern Mountain Caribou (SMC) are among the most threatened populations of Woodland Caribou. 

They inhabit mountainous regions of British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. They were listed as threatened on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act in 2003, and in 2014, the Government of Canada published their recovery strategy. 

This document was criticized for its lack of Indigenous representation and perspectives. Many Indigenous communities historically had and continue to have important relationships with caribou. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) inhabit arctic, boreal, and mountainous regions across Canada and are sensitive to environmental disturbances.

Starting in 2020, CIER and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) partnered on the Species at Risk Consultation, Cooperation and Accommodation (SARA-CCA) project to facilitate Indigenous communities’ and organizations’ participation in the listing and recovery planning processes for terrestrial species. SMC were one of the pilot project species, and work is ongoing to publish an amendment to the 2014 recovery strategy. 

Since 2021, CIER has assisted ECCC in engaging with hundreds of individuals from nearly 100 Indigenous communities and organizations across BC and Alberta. To date, this spans 19 sessions, some across multiple days and in person, while most were held virtually.

In addition to workshops, ECCC and CIER have also met individually with many communities and funded over 60 projects focused on or included information and discussions about SMC. ECCC is currently incorporating feedback and suggestions from workshops, meetings, and written comments into the amendment.

Everyone involved hopes that it will better include Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives, leading to improved recovery of SMC. Ensuring the survival and recovery of caribou is essential in honouring the rights of Indigenous Peoples.