The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) has written to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Premier Wab Kinew urging them to address an illegal blockade erected by Bloodvein First Nation that is currently preventing non-Indigenous licensed hunters and anglers from accessing a large area of provincial Crown land on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
At a press conference on September 10th, Bloodvein First Nation representatives stated they would not allow licensed hunters to pass through the blockade. Since its establishment, access has been denied not only to hunters scouting locations but also to a Manitoba Hydro worker carrying a fishing rod.
The Manitoba government has issued approximately 175 valid hunting licenses for this area to licensed hunters. By preventing access to these hunters, the blockade directly challenges the lawful exercise of hunting rights authorized by the provincial government and undermines government sovereignty over Crown lands.
MWF has met with Minister Bushie to express concerns and propose solutions aimed at resolving this impasse while maintaining equitable access to these provincial public lands.
In this case, Bloodvein First Nation is asserting ownership and jurisdiction over provincial Crown land, fish, and wildlife resources outside their legally established treaty reserve lands and beyond their treaty rights over the public lands. The area in question is identified as part of their traditional hunting territories but remains provincial Crown land. Crown land in Manitoba is publicly owned, comprises approximately 83% of the province, and is legally open for all Manitobans to access and enjoy.
Again, we call on Premier Wab Kinew and the RCMP to uphold the rule of law, fulfill their responsibility for fish and wildlife management, and ensure that provincial Crown lands remain accessible to all Manitobans, including licensed hunters and anglers.
MWF GUIDELINES WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BLOCKADE
MWF continues to advocate on behalf of its members and all Manitobans to ensure access to public land, fish and wildlife resources and outdoor activities.
First Nations Reserve Lands are considered private property and as such, cannot be entered without permission.
Blockades barring access to public lands outside of First Nations Reserve Lands are not legal.
The MWF Guidelines on how to handle blockades are as follows:
First and foremost
- Respect all blockades
- Stay calm and do not be aggressive
If you are safely able to do so:
- Take notes of the interaction as soon as possible after it is over. Note the location, the individuals (with numbers, descriptions or identities, if known, license plates, etc.), and the content of any conversations. Make note of the impact of being prevented from accessing the area and the number of people affected by the blockades.
- On a map, mark the location of the blockade and the location of the activities (licensed hunting, angling, etc.) that the blockade is interfering with.
- File a complaint with the Bloodvein RCMP detachment (non-emergency phone line: 204-395-2311). For all emergencies, Dial 911 or 204-325-2020. All blockades and checkpoints must be reported to the RCMP to ensure there is a formal record of the complaint. In the complaint, describe how your legal rights are being interfered with and provide copies of documents such as government licenses, permits, grants, contracts, etc.
- Follow up with a complaint to the Provincial government (contacts below) and copy MWF on any correspondence with government.
Provincial Government Contact information:
Premier Wab Kinew
204 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
Phone: 204-945-3714
Email: premier@manitoba.ca
Honorable Matt Wiebe
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
104 Legislative Building
450 Broadway
Winnipeg, MB R3C 0V8
Phone: 204-945-3728
Email: minjus@manitoba.ca
