The FSIN says it is ready for a legal battle after the province changed policing on hunting on pasture land.
Yesterday, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation posted to social media that the provincial government reversed its position regarding unlimited access for First Nations and Metis people to hunt on provincial pastures.
This would mean that Indigenous hunters would only have access to hunt on these lands during the usual hunting season or if special permission is granted.
On Thursday, the province confirmed that is their plan moving forward.
FSIN Vice-Chief Heather Bear says the FSIN will take the matter to court.
“Once again, we are looking at a disrespect of inherent and treaty rights and we will go the distance on this matter, as we are prepared to do on any treaty right to hunt matter,” she said.
This new policy was a hot topic of discussion FSIN legislative assembly, currently underway at Dakota Dunes Casino.
“We will launch immediate legal action on this item if it is correct,” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “This change would be a direct violation of our inherent and treaty right to hunt, which trumps provincial law.”
This matter comes on the heels of a victory for Indigenous hunters, as a Manitoba hunter won an appeal on a 2015 hunting charge. However, this matter may be heading to the Supreme Court.
The province says the changes are about safety for hunters, people operating the pasture land, and livestock.
(PHOTO: FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. Photo courtesy of Joel Willick.)