Bands back to customs

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Lake Brochet, Man.

The caribou recovery from near extinction in northern Manitoba has meant isolated Indian communities are returning tot heir traditional way of life.

Officials estimate that at least 50,000 barren-ground caribou have moved into Manitoba from the Northwest Territories.

Chief Jerome Denechezhe, chief of the Northlands Indian band at Lake Brochet, says the return of the herd has been welcomed by his band members as the mysterious disappearance of the herd in 1974 had dealt a heavy blow to the community because many people did not know how to adopt to a new lifestyle.

A spokesman for the provincial Natural Resources Development says this year's harvest of caribou is expected to provide about $20 million worth of meat to the 15 Native communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.