This Relationship Plan shares similarities with traditional wildlife management plans. It brings together knowledge, establishes objectives, reflects the intent of the Parties, and makes various commitments and recommendations. However, as the title reflects, the First Nation focus of relationship with the land, water, animals, and each other has been emphasized in addition to conventional scientific wildlife management concepts. By focusing on relationships, the planning team hopes to better reflect First Nation teachings, improving our connection with caribou and each other.

The Plan begins by taking the reader through the history and efforts of the Southern Lakes Caribou Recovery Program. This is followed by a description of the planning process and the evolution of management objectives for Southern Lakes Caribou. The Plan then uses a “Seasonal Round” framework, to provide context for recommendations made, and organize them according to the needs of caribou throughout the seasons.

The Seasonal Round used in the Plan contains nested circles with the Spirit of Caribou at the centre, moving outward to traditional teachings of Share, Care, and Respect, the Caribou’s story, our responsibilities to Caribou, and finally to our human actions. Each circle informs the next. This demonstrates the philosophy used in creating the Plan, placing caribou first, guided by First Nation Traditional Knowledge and western science together, and employing the Seasonal Round as a story-telling device to help the reader understand the caribou and human perspective.

Throughout the Plan, traditional stories and the words of Elders and knowledge holders are presented to support the direction and recommendations made by the Steering Committee.

Readers will observe both Commitments and Recommended Actions presented throughout the Plan. Commitments are statements of intent by the Parties. Recommended Actions are made to the Parties as achievable steps that help meet the objectives and commitments of the Relationship Plan. There is a summary of all Commitments and Recommended Actions at the end of the Plan.