The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is inviting northern residents to a town hall information session on Monday at 7 pm at the Legion Hall in Thompson.
It’s the first of three northern sessions to discuss access to wildlife resources.
Rob Olson, the Senior Science Advisor with the MWF, says the sessions were motivated by a move by the Manitoba government last year.
“Last summer, the province made a cut to license moose hunters and for game hunting areas up and around Thompson area and south of it towards Grand Rapids. Our contention was that they didn’t have sufficient moose data to suggest that the season should be changed so drastically. We also were contending that they didn’t have a thorough process of making the change when they didn’t engage with people, they didn’t really reach out to license hunters, there was no process and we felt it was in response to demands made from Indigenous interests.”
In a Facebook post last June, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak accused the province of dismissing its constitutional obligation to recognize that First Nations people have priority rights to hunt, fish, trap and gather for food.
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is hoping to promote dialogue on the issue with all interested groups during the town hall session.
More details can be heard on Thompson Today this afternoon at 12:40 and 5:10.
