Tla’amin Nation has undertaken a Canada goose harvest on nation lands for ceremonial purposes.
Tla’amin guardian watchman Bryce McKenzie said the birds were taken for the nation’s use.
“We use them for banquets,” said McKenzie. “A biologist had come in and explained to us what the geese were doing to our estuary. They had eaten the grass in our estuary down quite far to where our salmon fry don’t have anywhere to inhabit until they are big enough to make it in the ocean. It seems like a no-brainer.”
McKenzie said the harvest was done humanely by Tla’amin members and it was a success. All birds were taken on Tla’amin property. He did not know how many birds had been taken in the harvest.
“I hope it protects the estuary,” said McKenzie.
Powell River conservation officer Andrew Anaka said the goose harvest had been permitted and approved by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the province has no involvement.
“I have received a public complaint about it and I explained to the woman that there is a permit in place for it,” said Anaka.
He said he did not know any of the details of the permit because he is not in possession of a copy.
