Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Snowdrift (Oct 22/01) - Lutsel K'e elders concerned about the sickly state of some caribou from the Bathurst herd will get a chance to question representatives from mining companies they say could be the cause at a meeting in Yellowknife Thursday.

The meeting comes after a September hunting trip to the barrenlands where hunters managed to bag only 12 caribou.

Steve Ellis, wildlife management officer for the band, said elders were aghast at the frailty and injuries plaguing the caribou this year.

"The elders said they've never seen foot injuries like this," said Ellis.

Ellis said some elders feel Misery Road running to Ekati could be one cause.

Some of the caribou are so skinny the ribs protrude beneath skin covering the spine and in every group they came across at least two or three caribou hobbled, said Ellis.

"Some of these elders spent 80 years of their lives hunting and trapping and people start thinking that maybe the advent of mine roads could be causing these problems," said Ellis.

Three elders from the band will attend the meeting this Thursday. They plan to present their case to representatives from the Department of Wildlife, BHP Billiton and Diavik.

Elder's argue Misery Road is the main cause of serious hoof injuries. Because of the road's height caribou gathered at its summit to escape the year's massive bug infestation. Trucks roaring up the road often scared the caribou who sustained injuries scrambling off the steep, boulder strewn embankments.

RWED biologists have said caribou are stressed and skinny from the unusual bug outbreak this summer. Caribou burn their fat running away from bugs and often hurt hooves in ruts.

Anne Gunn, biologist with RWED, said it's counterproductive to attempt simple answer to the caribou question.

"Nothing in nature is simple," said Gunn. "There are complex reasons-- a combination of a hot summer, the presence of the mine, could all have contributed," said Gunn.

"I really welcome the elder's observation. They are the eyes on the land," she said.

A Lutsel K'e representative on the Diavik's environmental management board called the meeting in the middle of September.

Meetings such as these are part of board's mandate.

Florence Catholique, the band's representative on the board said they will also discuss ways to give the Wildlife Act some teeth.

"We're going to see how the caribou can be protected and give the act more power," said Catholique

Denise Burlingame, senior public affairs officer with BHP Billiton, said the company will attend the meeting.

"We have a pretty good relationship with (the Lutsel K'e band)," said Burlingame. "There is lots of opportunity to consult and participate."

Burlingame said BHP plans to share information with Diavik on their environmental monitoring.

Diavik did not return phone calls but is expected to attend.

Dogrib, Yellowknives, Metis and Inuit representatives also sit on the board.

The board is an independent body partly funded by Diavik and the territorial government to monitor environmental impact of the Diavik mine.