First Nations uneasy chronic wasting disease will weaken food security
Robin Louie of the Ktunaxa Nation Council is concerned that CWD's arrival in the southern Kootenays poses a risk to Indigenous food security and culture. Photo submitted / Courtesy of Film Our Path Media
By Rochelle Baker
Knowledge keeper and hunter Robin Louie is worried.
Worried his people’s food security, traditional knowledge and culture will suffer yet another hit with the dreaded arrival of chronic wasting disease in their territory in the southern Kootenays.
“It’s a serious issue,” said Louie, an executive with the Ktunaxa Nation Council, which includes four First Nations.
“Our nations generally eat a lot of wild game.”
On Tuesday, B.C. launched its first set of new rules to try to stem the spread of CWD, also dubbed the zombie deer disease, after recently confirming two deer south of Cranbrook tested positive.