Lucky Man First Nation Chief Crystal Okemaw gives the women’s commission address at the FSIN legislative assembly in Saskatoon. Photo by Joel Willick.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations passed a motion rejecting provincial policy on hunting outfitters.
During Wednesday’s FSIN Legislative Assembly in Saskatoon the member nations voted in favour to reject the province’s Export Permit Policy.
The policy began in 2007 and puts several regulations on outfitters when exporting wildlife out of the province. Some First Nation outfitters are claiming this policy negatively affects their business with American clients.
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron says when the policy was first introduced chief and councils were promised there would be no limits, however, he says that has not been the case.
“That was a selling point…they tricked our people… ten years later now what,” Chief Cameron told the FSIN Assembly while discussing the resolution. “We are set with limits and it is causing some frustration and anger among our First Nation outfitters.”
Chief Cameron also claims the policy seems to have a greater affect on First Nation outfitters.
“We are the only ones who are going through this,” he said. “Our hunters are getting harassed in the airports, the hotels, the highways and the bush, so we want to support their livelihood.”
Some First Nations have actually began implementing their own export permits and tags.
“One of our first nations tested it and it was acknowledged by U.S. customs and the hunters went on their merry way to Pennsylvania,” said Chief Cameron.
The resolution also held a clause that called on the province to respect the recent memorandum of understanding between the province and FSIN over conservation officers entering First Nation lands. Chief Cameron says this year there have been reports of officers entering First Nations without consent.
47 eligible voters at the assembly voted in favour of the resolution while 2 abstained.
The province has not yet provided comment.