The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is speaking out against an extension of elk hunting in Saskatchewan.
The province recently extended antlerless elk hunting in three zones – Zone 39 near Yorkton, the RM of Leask, and the RM of Stanley.
The extension runs until the end of March.
In a media release sent out Thursday, the FSIN called the move “ecologically irresponsible and culturally insensitive.”
The FSIN says the potential to harvest pregnant cow elk mere weeks before they give birth contradicts tradition First Nation principles.
“We completely oppose this move, we never kill pregnant animals as they are a sacred animal. All of our animals are sacred but to kill them during calving season is highly unethical and immoral,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron was quoted in the release. “There are other ethical ways to address this matter, there are many First Nations who are more than willing and happy to help this cause but definitely not during calving season.”
The FSIN was not the only organization to speak out against the extension of elk hunting as the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federatio spoke out against the move.
In a statement, the SWF also raised concerns about the ethics of harvesting cow elk weeks before calving.
MBC News has reached out to the province for comment, but has not yet heard back.