Alberta`s new agreement will harmonize the rules for the Métis with those of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but many hunters point to it as a sign of things to come. Elk populations have fallen to extremely low levels in both provinces, and while I do not directly blame Metis culture, this is just another stressor that these endangered wild populations do not need at this point. The new agreement also recognizes the right of trappers to pass on their trapping behaviour to their family members and allows Métis to fish with a rod and reel, not just a net. Our informative brochure contains details about the harvest and answers to questions such as “Who can I or how can I apply?” or “When and where can I harvest?” Feel free to play it now, or download and save it for later. This interim agreement allowed Métis to hunt, fish and fish on Crown and private lands (with permission) and on any body of water in the province with the appropriate licence. In 2007, IMHA was unilaterally cancelled and a new policy was implemented by the Progressive Conservative government of Ed Stelmach, which severely restricted the harvesting location of Métis and excluded harvesting rights for Métis living in southern Alberta. While the Métis Harvest Agreement, signed on March 12 with the Ministers of environment, parks and Indigenous Relations, indicates clear benefits for Métis over harvesting practices in place since 2010, it still does not return them to the rights they had under the Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement (AALA) negotiated with the Ralph Klein government in 2004. The Government of Alberta and the Métis Nation of Alberta have reached a new agreement that expanded the Métis harvesting area in the province. The Métis Fisheries Policy in Alberta follows the principles established by the Supreme Court of Canada and provides the framework for the recognition of Métis who may have the right to hunt, fish and fish for food in defined Métis harvesting areas in Alberta. The Millet Grain Decision recognized that Métis communities were regional and not limited to settlements that exist in the province. He also recognized the presence of Métis along the North Saskatchewan River in central Alberta.
This is a change reflected in the new agreement, which opens up 75 per cent of the province to Métis fishermen. At that time, métis harvesting was limited to a 100 km radius around existing Métis communities. It has been constant to fight to recognize the harvesting rights of the Metis here in Alberta. The member has been working for many years to reach a sustainable harvest agreement with the provincial government that honours our historic connection and our right to this land. We will never give up what we know to be true: the Métis Nation of Alberta has inherent harvesting rights that span every corner of our province, including the South. If you do not have fishing rights recognized by Alberta, you must obtain a sport fishing licence and follow the sport fishing rules for all waters. Craig Letendre, harvest coordinator and harvesting expert at MNA, participated in the Keeping it Riel podcast and shared stories about his life and expertise. The agreement states that “Alberta will seek the advice of the Member of Parliament to establish an objectively verifiable system for identifying Métis gatherers who are not members of the NAM or who do not wish to be identified by the Member as Métis harvesters.” I understand that the Metis take this seriously and ensure that their rights are not violated.
However, with the disaster that Alberta is now experiencing in terms of managing its precious wildlife resources, I am concerned that this is not enough. The government has promised money to help the Metis implement the new culture agreement, but no such commitment has been made to increase funding for the management and enforcement of the act. She admits that members of the MP`s Region 3 (southern region of the province) are “not satisfied” with the agreement, but that it made strategic sense “rather than completely violating a culture agreement that would support so many of the things we fought for.” “What we`re going to do is provide the historical evidence that was also in court and that I don`t think anyone has considered. Provide our evidence so that hopefully (the Government of Alberta) sees that there should be harvesting rights in the South. There is as much historical evidence there as in any other part of the province,” Poitras said. “The Milletkorn case provides very solid information (this agreement),” said the MP`s president, Audrey Poitras. “Alberta took the position that it would not talk about the South. That`s where we landed. We have published all the answers to frequently asked questions about harvesting rights here. Reves said he ate lynx because he got caught on his trap line.
“I think that`s what we have to remember: if you want to harvest, you have to respect it and use it properly and not exaggerate.” Alberta Fish and Game Association President Brian Dingreville said Thursday that he is concerned about policies that open up the environment to too many crops, which “will lead to a shortage of our natural resources.” “It will definitely be part of the discussion because, as we know, we have moved west. There is mobility from one province to another. At the time, we were talking about traditional harvesting, there were no provinces, there were no lines,” Poitras said. The Métis Nation of Alberta has signed an agreement with the province that does not allow Métis hunters, trappers and fishers to claim southern Alberta as part of its traditional territory. “Our people have been charged every time they went hunting, and that`s not true,” said Métis Nation President Audrey Poitras. “Like all Indigenous peoples, we have our rights and this harvesting policy brings us closer to full recognition.” However, the Métis Harvest Agreement allows for the establishment of a discussion table “in recognition of issues that the member has raised as important to her,” including harvesting rights in southern Alberta. In Alberta, Métis fishermen can fish with a national fishing licence, which provides more opportunities to fish in eligible lakes and rivers than the licences granted in the Sport Fishing Regulations. View the agreement here: mm.aiircdn.com/472/5c950ca063be0.pdf The province is now divided into five regional chapters, instead of the previous 25 local harvest zones. Fishermen in the northern and central regions can hunt, fish and catch. But the fifth region, the South, is not yet part of politics. Commercial harvesting and mobility of Métis gatherers will also be included in the discussion table.
Mobility includes not only harvesting rights within the province of Alberta, but also across provincial borders. If you provided your Wildlife Identification Number (WiN) in your harvester application, your Alberta ReLM account has recently been updated to become a “Recognized Métis Harvester,” which includes your MPP-approved harvest areas. You no longer need to go to a fishing and wildlife office! Under the previous agreement, the Province`s Métis were limited to small geographic areas where they could exercise their hunting and fishing rights. With the new agreement, this region has been significantly expanded to cover most of northern and central Alberta. The Métis are now focusing their efforts on obtaining cultivation rights in the rest of the southern part of the province. At the same time, a Métis man, Garry Hirsekorn, was charged with hunting without a licence in the Cypress Hills area. The member used the Milletkorn case to challenge the province to change its policy on Métis harvesting rights. However, Milletkorn was found guilty and fined by the lower court for failing to find sufficient evidence to support the allegation of Métis presence in the area before 1874. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision and the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear an appeal. .
