Attention: All Métis Harvesters in British Columbia
September 14, 2004
RE: Métis Harvesting Rights in British Columbia - URGENT
Attention: All Métis Harvesters in British Columbia
Dear Métis Citizens:
Subject: MPCBC Position for the 2004-05 Harvesting Season
After the Powley decision in the summer of 2003, MPCBC requested all Métis harvesters to please abide by the existing regulations to allow MPCBC time to arrange a proper agreement with the Province of British Columbia (herein called the “Province”). Since then, MPCBC has attempted multiple times to engage the Province in simple discussions around the implementations of the Powley decision. Unfortunately, MPCBC has had little to no response from the Province. Furthermore, the Province recently published, without MPCBC’s consultation, the following paragraph in the Ministry of Water, Lands and Air Protection’s 2004 Hunting and Trapping Synopsis;
Métis Hunters
A reminder that all Métis individuals intending to hunt in the upcoming season are required, under the Wildlife Act, to hold a valid hunting license and comply with all appropriate hunting regulations. This includes obtaining appropriate species licenses and complying with Limited Entry Hunting Regulations.
MPCBC does not agree with this policy and immediately requested a meeting with the appropriate Ministries. This meeting was to address the issue of nonconsultation and to ultimately determine the Province’s position on Métis harvesting rights. Upon conclusion of this meeting, MPCBC provided the Province with clearly defined demands and a respective deadline (MPCBC AGM) for these actions to be implemented. This deadline is approaching and as of this moment, MPCBC has not received a response.
MPCBC encourages Métis citizens in British Columbia to continue exercising their constitutionally entrenched right to harvest, as they have done in the past. However, let it be known that in the absence of an official agreement, Métis citizens will and can be charged under the provisions of the Wildlife Act. Unfortunately, due to current fiscal obligations MPCBC is in no position to financially support any charged Métis individuals. However, through the development of the B.C. Métis Assembly of Natural Resources, a “Legal Defense” fund has been formed. BCMANR (Director of Natural Resources) is presently monitoring all Métis harvesting litigations in B.C., including expertise support for these individuals.
Finally, MPCBC and BCMANR have been working very diligently and strategically towards the acknowledgement of our “Harvesting Rights” here in B.C. This includes participating in the multilateral discussions at a federal level. The multilateral table includes all levels of Canadian government meeting with all levels of Métis government to discuss the implementation of harvesting rights throughout the entire Métis Nation homeland. These discussions have been successful, as the Métis Nation of Ontario and the Métis Nation of Alberta have worked out agreements for Métis harvesters. This will increase pressure on those provinces that have not yet addressed the issue of harvesting rights for the Métis people within their prospective provinces (B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba).
In closing, MPCBC and BCMANR will continue to pursue the acquisition of harvesting rights as a high priority. MPCBC does have a strategy and in true Metis fashion we will continue the battle. Again, MPCBC would like to stress that we do not agree with the Province’s position on harvesting rights, according to the latest policy in the MWLAP’s hunting/trapping synopsis. Thank-you again for your support and with unity comes strength!
In the Spirit of Riel and the Hunt,
Dean Trumbley, RP Bio.
Director of Natural Resources
Métis Provincial Council of B.C.
