REINDEER HERDING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 February 1939, Page 3

REINDEER HERDING

EFFORTS TO MAKE THE ESKIMO SELF-SUPPORTING. , ENTERPRISE OF CANADIAN GOVERNMENT. In its efforts to make the Eskimo selfsupporting. the Canadian Government has gone into the reindeer herding business in a big way. Ten years ago. the Canadian Government started negotiations for the purchase of a reindeer herd then located in Alaska. These were finally herded and deliverered to representatives of the Government in the Spring of 1935 on the Canadian Arctic coast, east of the delta of the Mackenzie River. The original herd, as delivered, numbered 2370 animals. Since then the animals have multiplied to such an extent that it is now possible to make available smaller herds to Eskimo settlements in other parts of the Canadian Arctic. A herd of 800 reindeer is now being moved to a settlement 150 miles east of the mother herd. On their arrival, they will be turned over to the management of Eskimos who have received special training in herding these animals. This herd is being only loaned to the natives until such time as it has increased sufficiently in size, to permit a new herd of 800 being taken away to start fresh enterprise in another suitable location.

In addition to lending reindeer, the Government is training young Eskimos as herdsmen, providing herd dogs and other equipment, as well as quantities of rations to assist in maintaining the herders during the first year.