Caribou on a frozen lake in the far north. Part of a new exploration agreement between Ya’thi Néné Lands and Resources and Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. ensures the caribou migratory pattern will not be disrupted. (Photo supplied)

By NC Raine

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Uranium exploration in Saskatchewan’s far north will soon be underway, but only if the caribou are not disturbed.

“Caribou are really important to the Athabasca people,” said. Kathy Hay, Manager of Corporate Affairs at Ya’thi Néné Lands and Resources Office (YNLR). “While they’re migrating, the last thing we would want to do is disrupt their migration pattern with a helicopter doing an airborne survey. So, we have things like that in place to protect the inherent rights of the people.”

The YNLR represents seven communities in the Athabasca region, which includes the Athabasca Denesułiné First Nations of Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, and Fond du Lac, the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, and the Northern Settlements of Uranium City, Wollaston Lake and Camsell Portage.

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