Thirteen days after the Province of Manitoba issued a cease-and-desist order, Bloodvein First Nation (BFN) continues to restrict public access to Crown Lands on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) first raised concerns with the RCMP on September 22nd, and again on September 28th, requesting action to prevent the ongoing operation of this illegal barrier as soon as possible. In response to MWF’s concerns, the RCMP advised that they are awaiting direction from the Government of Manitoba regarding the situation. In fact, in a news conference on September 25th, Premier Wab Kinew noted that the province “shared that cease-and-desist order with the RCMP on September 21st.” He further commented that “not letting non-Indigenous people participate in sharing the land – that’s not right …”
MWF believes that BFN’s check stop contravenes the provincial Highway Traffic Act, the Criminal Code and sections 8 and 9 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
To date, no action has been taken to stop this ongoing interference with the rights of law-abiding Manitobans to access public lands.
MWF has made repeated efforts to resolve this matter through dialogue. Since the check stop was first raised as an issue, MWF has sought to meet directly with Chief Lisa Young and Bloodvein First Nation to discuss the concerns and find a workable solution. Despite those efforts, MWF has not been able to establish a meaningful dialogue with Chief Young on the continued operation and location of the check stop.
The Government of Manitoba, meanwhile, has met with Bloodvein First Nation on multiple occasions in an effort to address the situation. Despite those meetings, the check stop continues to operate on a provincial road and continues to restrict access to Crown Lands.
MWF would also like to highlight that Bloodvein membership has expressed serious concerns about the check stop and presented MWF with a petition that stated: “We Bloodvein First Nation members petition to remove the security check point & security personnel immediately. Whereas BFN Chief and Council did not inform or consult with BFN members upon doing so, and that any funding related be redirected to community programs.”
The MWF firmly believes that a failure to act will set a troubling precedent and send a message that our laws only apply to some Manitobans.
