FSIN Concerned Over Non-Native Elk Hunt Notice

FSIN Concerned Over Non-Native Elk Hunt Notice

Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 15:25

 

 

An official with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations says a recent announcement by the government that an elk hunt will begin down south has raised some eyebrows.

 

Recently, Saskatchewan Environment issued a notice to non-First Nations hunters that elk numbers in Cypress Hills needed to be thinned out.

 

FSIN Vice-Chief Glen Pratt says the plan isn’t being welcomed by the chief of the Nekaneet First Nation, who is concerned because his band stands to be affected.

 

Pratt says local band members may want to start their own hunt before the main hunt begins.

 

Pratt says things would run much smoother if the government would pick up the phone a little more often about issues such as these.

 

In the meantime, Pratt says he’s encouraged by recent progress on another issue concerning First Nations.

 

He says a recent report from the federal Senate concludes urgent work needs to be done on the specific land claims process for First Nations.

 

The report came up with four recommendations. They include an increase in funding, the establishment of an independent claims body within two years, adequate resources for the existing process and the adoption of new guiding principles.

 

Pratt says he likes the one calling for the claims body to be truly independent.

 

Pratt adds principles he’d like to see in a new process include a funding formula that’s more reflective of today’s economy, and that more weight be given to oral testimony from elders.