FNFN’s Caribou conservation project showcased in film

FORT NELSON, B.C. — A documentary about Fort Nelson First Nation’s (FNFN) efforts to restore a caribou habitat in the heart of Treaty 8 territory will be screened for community members this Thursday evening.

Directed by Trevor Dixon Bennett and Ryan Dickie, “The Medzih Story: Restoring a Caribou Landscape” highlights the First Nation’s efforts to stabilize boreal caribou populations in the area.

The word “Medzih” is a Dene word meaning caribou.

“It’s a project I’ve been involved with for several years, ” says Dickie. “I’ve been documenting different aspects of it for my community.”

“This has been a really great project to be involved with.  It’s one that I think will really resonate with the public.”

Once a constant presence in the northeast B.C. landscape, the population of boreal caribou has declined due to several factors, including industry.

The federal government pledged $117 million in 2017 to support habitat protection and restoration, population management, research, monitoring, and First Nations engagement related to the animals.

That same year, FNFN outlined an action plan for the area’s population, which is believed to be the province’s smallest. 

“Talk to anybody within Treaty 8 territory, and they’ll tell you about a time not too long ago when caribou were abundant on the landscape,” said Dickie. “As someone actively involved in filming and taking pictures of caribou, they are hard to find.  Encounters aren’t all that common.”

“You kind of have to know where to look. With the development of seismic exploration over the years, the caribou have a hard time adapting to that type of fragmentation.”

Highlighting the work done by the FNFN’s Lands Department and engagement with Elders, Dickie says Lands and Resources Manager Katherine Wolfenden’s work has been “tremendous” in furthering the nation’s efforts.

Produced by Victoria-based Kingtide Films and Dickie’s Winter Hawk Studios, the 20-minute feature has already been announced as an “official selection” at November’s Yellowknife Film Festival in the Northwest Territories.

The screening will take place beginning at 4:00 p.m. on October 24th at the Phoenix Theatre, located at 5019 53rd Avenue South in Fort Nelson.

Wolfenden and members of the Lands and Resources Department will be on hand afterward to answer questions about the film and FNFN’s project.

The First Nation’s website has more details about its caribou restoration project and the documentary.