Harvesting
In November 2010, Métis-Nation Saskatchewan and the Province of Saskatchewan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Métis food harvesting rights. In the MOU, several key actions will be negotiated including:
A. Arriving at a common understanding of Métis community and Métis traditional territories for the purposes of any interim and ultimately final agreement between the parties;
B. Arriving at a common understanding of the Métis food harvesting customs, practices and traditions included within any interim and ultimately final agreement between the parties;
C. Arriving at a common understanding of the ancestral and community acceptance requirements an individual must meet in order to be a beneficiary of any interim and ultimately final agreement reached between the parties;
D. Achieving legal enforceability and certainty for any interim or final agreement that the parties may reach;
E. The identification of additional research or studies required for the purposes of assisting the parties in their efforts to reach an interim and final agreement.
While the negotiations are occurring, we recommend Harvester’s to turn to our Métis Harvesting Guide that is available on the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan website.
The MNS urges all Métis citizens in Saskatchewan to obtain their MNS Citizenship Cards for identification purposes. In the northern part of Saskatchewan, based on the Laviolette decision, Métis who are members of the northwest Saskatchewan Métis community, which includes the areas in and around Lac La Biche, Ile-a-la-Crosse and Green Lake can hunt and fish for food without a license. However, since the negotiations towards an agreement are on-going between MNS and Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Environment continues to apply its policy and metis harvesters should be aware that they may be charged. At this time, Métis harvesting in the south should be aware that they may be charged.
If you plan on harvesting
1. Ensure you have the appropriate identification needed for Métis harvesting (an MN-S Citizenship Card)
2. Ensure you have written and verbal permission to hunt on any Private or First Nation lands
3. Contact the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan Harvesting Advisor for the most up to date information
4. Follow all safety and conservation standards while harvesting
5. If you are not a registered Métis person and encounter a provincial Conservation Officer while harvesting, you can trigger the Screening Process by identifying yourself as a Métis and state that you are exercising your Métis right to harvest for sustenance.
The Harvesting Negotiating team will provide updates as required to inform the MN-S regarding the negotiations. Also, in order to assist with Harvesting Negotiation team, an advisory committee has been formed to advise and inform the Negotiation team regarding issues surrounding Harvesting.
Click here to view the Métis Nation Harvesting Guide
Screening Process
The Métis Nation – Saskatchewan is in the process of negotiating a formal agreement with the Province of Saskatchewan in regards to Métis food harvesting rights, however the Ministry and Métis Nation – Saskatchewan have followed an interim process (Screening Process) for 2 ½ years until formal negotiations are complete. In following this interim process for the last 2 ½ years Métis Nation – Saskatchewan has confirmed their shared understanding of the purpose and objectives and have ensured that they are meeting their commitments. This policy the (Screening Process) is only an interim Measure until a final agreement is concluded.
Métis citizens who feel they may have aboriginal rights to hunt and fish for sustenance (food) or choose to exercise it and believe is relevant to the Métis food harvesting right being claimed and want the Screening Process to apply must complete a Métis Harvester Screening Process Consent Form and provide a copy to the Ministry as it triggers the Screening Process. It is the responsibility of the Métis food harvester to trigger the Screening Process and get in touch with Métis Nation – Saskatchewan to provide a signed copy of the consent form.
The application of the screening process is intended to take the burden off Métis Nation – Saskatchewan harvesters having to provide information to Conservation Officers about Métis food harvesting rights, and provide an opportunity for Métis Nation – Saskatchewan to intervene on Métis Nation Saskatchewan’s harvester’s behalf. This process would only apply to Métis Nation – Saskatchewan citizens who ask for assistance.
To date in response to Ministry of Environment/Métis Nation – Saskatchewan/court decisions and discussions, the Ministry of Environment/Métis Nation – Saskatchewan have identified the need for Métis Nation – Saskatchewan to support and assist Métis food harvesters in their dealings with the Ministry, as the Ministry of Environment recognizes that, the Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, through its regions and locals has a role to play.
On June 28th, 2011 a new Screening Process was signed between Minister of Environment, Robert Lafontaine and Director of Enforcement, Ken Aube.