A committee of community elders of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Nation has sanctioned a citizen for elk hunting without proper authorization under the community’s hunting laws.
Wilson Jack, who pleaded guilty in provincial court in October 2015 to hunting wildlife not within an open season, and who received a sentence of community service for the killing of an elk, has now received a determination on the charge rendered by the treaty nation.
A letter delivered to Jack states four sanctions:
1. That he be removed from the seat of Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs) at the legislature indefinitely and is not to represent the nation at any level.
2. That his harvest card be suspended for a minimum of two years, and that this suspension will be reviewed by the elders after that time.
3. That Jack host a dinner and publicly apologize to the people of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.
4. And that his community hours from the provincial court not be served in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ or the territory of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.
This letter now goes on file with the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ law clerk. It is signed by the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ President Les Doiron.
When charged last year, the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council said it was gratified to learn that progress was made in investigating the illegal slaughter of a single Roosevelt Elk in Nuu-chah-nulth territory.
The B.C. Conservation Service brought the charges against Jack at the behest of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ.
NTC reminded the public at that time that the investigation into all other illegal Elk kills in the territory remained open. NTC encouraged others who have information about Elk being illegally killed to come forward and call the Report All Poachers and Polluters Tip Line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
The 14 Nuu-chah-nulth Nations committed a reward of $25,000 on Dec. 3, 2013 for information. At the time there were 17 illegal elk kills, and in 2014, six additional elk were taken, including the last known mature bull of its herd.
Nuu-chah-nulth Nations are committed to protecting and conserving the wildlife and fisheries resources in their territories. They are committed to working with BC Conservation officers to apprehend and prosecute the individual or individuals responsible for other illegal and unauthorized Elk kills no matter who they are or what community they come from.
