August 16, 2011 - The Government of the Northwest Territories, in partnership with the Governments of Nunavut and Yukon, is proud to host the 2011 Arctic Ungulate Conference in Yellowknife from Aug. 22 to 26. This will be the 13th international conference.

The event is held every four years and focuses on the management and status of Northern ungulate species, such as caribou, moose and bison. Over 200 delegates are expected to attend the conference, including scientists, researchers, co-management boards and government officials from across the world.

This year, the theme of the conference is “Challenges of Managing Northern Ungulates.” The conference will include traditional, local and scientific knowledge and an Indigenous Talking Circle to share traditional knowledge about sustainable ungulate harvesting.

Presentations will address a variety of topics, including climate change and increasing human presence on the land, as well as the challenges to developing recovery plans for declining ungulate populations such as caribou and reindeer. Other sessions include: a cross-country comparison of northern ungulate management; research and monitoring; health and disease; and, physiology and nutrition.

The conference has two sessions that are free and open to the public:
On Tuesday, August 23rd, a storytelling session hosted by Paul Andrew will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tom Eagle Memorial Hall in the Tree of Peace. Delegates and the public will be welcomed to tell stories relating to the importance of ungulates, such as caribou, to northern people.

On Thursday, August 24th, a session and visual demonstration on counting caribou in the North will be held at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre at 7:00 p.m. The public are encouraged to attend and learn about how caribou populations are monitored.

To register as a member of the media or for more information, visit www.auc2011.ca or contact:

Rachel MacNeill
Communications Planning Specialist
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Tel: 867 920 3310
Email: Rachel_macneill@gov.nt.ca