Piikani Nation Approved for funding to study grizzly bear populations

Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith photo, Wikimedia Commons

Foothills Member of Parliament John Barlow - Environment and Climate Change Canada has approved Piikani Nation for $30,390 under the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk. This fund is designed to assist in the recovery of populations of species at risk on Indigenous lands by partnering Indigenous Peoples and communities with scientists studying the species at risk.

The approved project aims to document the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge of the Piikani Nation to build upon the scientific research regarding Grizzly Bear populations that occurred in Waterton Lakes National Park and the Castle Wildlands. Research activities will be specific to the Castle Wilderness Area and will target the culturally and socio-economically significant Grizzly Bear. The western Grizzly population has been identified as a species of Special Concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

“I am thrilled Environment and Climate Change Canada has recognized Piikani Nation’s efforts to better understand, preserve and protect western Grizzly populations in the Castle Wilderness Area,” said John Barlow, Member of Parliament for Foothills. “The Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge within Piikani Nation is invaluable to understanding Grizzly Bear patterns and I look forward to seeing the work that will be done.”