Premier Simpson apologizes to Łutsël K’é for ‘impact’ of 2022 raid by wildlife officers

Premier R.J. Simpson has apologized to the people of Łutsël K’é for the impact of a 2022 raid by wildlife officers of a remote Dene culture camp, in a search for evidence of illegal caribou hunting.

Wildlife officers helicoptered into the remote site, located on Artillery Lake, on September 13th and spent hours searching family tents and teepees, taking samples of caribou meat they found there. The search warrant used was later thrown out of court.

Premier R.J. Simpson in the fall of 2025. (CKLB files)

Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation (LKDFN) Chief James Marlowe in March sent a letter to Simpson and federal leaders, threatening to withhold support for federal infrastructure projects in the territory — including the proposed Arctic security corridor, and Taltson hydro expansion — unless the GNWT finally apologized for the raid.

Marlowe also stated that the GNWT’s current budget doesn’t go far enough to address the needs of his community, specifically housing shortages, poor health services, and infrastructure deficits.

Simpson indicated he would respond directly to Marlowe, but did not say when.

On Tuesday afternoon, Simpson issued a statement to the people of Łutsël K’é, to the Elders, families, and young people who were at Timber Bay.

“I have heard from leadership and members of the community, and I have taken time to reflect on the impact this had,” the statement read. “I understand that this was a deeply difficult and upsetting experience for many people in the community. For that, I am sorry.”

On Wednesday, Chief Marlowe told CBC North he didn’t even know about the government’s planned response until after Simpson had issued the statement on Tuesday.

“I felt disrespected and believed that what happened in terms of the apology is not sincere, is not good enough,” Marlowe told CBC News. “He has to go to the community and apologize directly to the people that were affected.”

Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation Chief James Marlowe. (Photo: LKDFN)

The 2022 raid, during the 19th Assembly under Premier Caroline Cochrane, was in response to what Simpson characterized as “credible evidence of illegal (caribou) harvesting in a protected area.”

The harvest occurred in the Mobile Zone, stated Simpson, where harvesting is prohibited to help protect and conserve the herd, and there was significant meat wastage at the harvest site.

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The LKDFN has maintained the camp was about 150 kilometres away from the Mobile Zone.

The camp had about 80 people and is located at a former village site for the Łutsel K’e people, which holds significance to families who grew up there.

In 2022, CBC North reported then Environment and Natural Resources Minister Shane Thompson said officers found the carcasses of 10 caribou within the Mobile Zone and “a significant amount of suspected wasted edible meat was identified.”

He said officers received two independent reports from members of the public about illegal harvesting.

DNA analysis conducted as part of the investigation later confirmed a link between harvested caribou from the declining Bathurst herd and meat found at the camp, stated Simpson.

In October 2022, the NWT Supreme Court ruled the search was unlawful and that the samples taken had to be forfeited.

Despite the search warrant being quashed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said at the time it would set up an external investigation of the actions of the wildlife officers.

Premier Simpson on Tuesday stated that an “independent officer conduct review is being advanced to establish a full and accurate account of the events at Timber Bay,” in the Fall of 2022.

He continued: “This workplace assessment is intended to provide a neutral and objective perspective to help the GNWT, as the employer, identify areas for improvement and help inform a path forward that supports reconciliation and a stronger co-management relationship with the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation.

“I strongly encourage members of the community to participate so their experiences are heard directly.”

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As for the other priorities expressed by Chief Marlowe, Premier Simpson stated, “they are reflected in our government’s mandate they are areas where we have been working to make progress.”

He listed some of the investments and supports:

• More than $1 million toward new modular housing.
• Ongoing investments in public housing and repairs.
• Sustained funding for community wellness and on-the-land programming.
• Support for local services and infrastructure.

“At the same time, I recognize that from the community’s perspective, progress has not always been felt, and expectations have not always been met. For too long, communities across the North have gone without, particularly smaller communities, and we are working hard to change that.

“Rebuilding trust requires more than pointing to programs or funding. It requires a different approach, one grounded in respect, communication, and working together in true partnership.”

The full text of Premier Simpson’s statement: 

“Recent public comments and reporting on the events at Timber Bay have brought renewed attention to this issue.

“I want to speak directly to the people of Łutsël K’é, to the Elders, families, and young people who were at Timber Bay.

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“I have heard from leadership and members of the community, and I have taken time to reflect on the impact this had. I understand that this was a deeply difficult and upsetting experience for many people in the community. For that, I am sorry.

“While this took place several years ago, as Premier I take responsibility for how we move forward and for making sure we learn from it and do better.

“At the same time, I want to be clear about why this action was taken.

“It was in response to credible evidence of illegal harvesting in a protected area. The harvest occurred in the Mobile Zone, where harvesting is prohibited to help protect and conserve the herd, and there was significant meat wastage at the harvest site. DNA analysis conducted as part of the investigation later confirmed a link between harvested caribou and meat found at the camp.

“The Bathurst caribou population has declined significantly in recent decades, and protecting the herd from extinction is a responsibility we all share.

“Many of the priorities that have been raised publicly by the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation leadership in recent weeks, including housing, access to health services, community wellness, and caribou stewardship, are shared priorities. They are reflected in our government’s mandate, and they are areas where we have been working to make progress.

“There have been real investments and supports delivered in Łutsël K’é, including more than $1 million toward new modular housing, ongoing investments in public housing and repairs, sustained funding for community wellness and on-the-land programming, and support for local services and infrastructure. There is also more work underway.

“At the same time, I recognize that from the community’s perspective, progress has not always been felt, and expectations have not always been met. For too long, communities across the North have gone without, particularly smaller communities, and we are working hard to change that.

“Rebuilding trust requires more than pointing to programs or funding. It requires a different approach, one grounded in respect, communication, and working together in true partnership.

“That is the standard this government is committed to.

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“It also means ensuring that conversations about long-term development and major projects in the North are grounded in that same partnership. Progress depends on strong relationships, mutual respect, and a shared understanding of priorities.

“We are committed to that approach.

“An independent officer conduct review is being advanced to establish a full and accurate account of the events at Timber Bay. This workplace assessment is intended to provide a neutral and objective perspective to help the GNWT, as the employer, identify areas for improvement and help inform a path forward that supports reconciliation and a stronger co-management relationship with the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation. I strongly encourage members of the community to participate so their experiences are heard directly.

“We will continue to protect the Bathurst caribou. And we will do that work in a way that respects Indigenous rights, knowledge, and ways of life.

“Both of these responsibilities must go hand in hand, and we are committed to getting that balance right.

“We have a real opportunity in front of us right now. With the Prime Minister’s recent announcement, the referral of our projects to the Major Projects Office, and unprecedented national attention on the North, we have a real opportunity to build lasting infrastructure and create new opportunities for Northerners. Realizing that potential will require us to move forward together in true partnership, with a shared focus on delivering results for communities across the territory and ensuring the benefits are felt across the North.”

UPDATED: Wednesday afternoon, with Marlowe’s comments to CBC North.

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