Right to hunt not in question

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The Metis Nation of Ontario recognizes Sept. 1 as the start of the big game season in Northern Ontario, but for Metis whose harvester's certificates are now recognized provincially, it's hunting as usual.

This summer the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources hammered out a deal whereby the ministry will recognize MNO-issued licences known as "harvester certificates."

This means MNO hunters will no longer have to worry about harrassment, charges or confiscation of their guns and game while hunting.

After years of frustrating talks and making very little progress, MNO President Tony Belcourt had been prepared to lead his organization in defying the provincial authorities if an agreement was not reached before the fall. Belcourt credited a last-minute telephone call from Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay with averting that action.

The agreement stipulates that MNO will issue no more than 1,250 harvester certificates over the next two years, at which time the process will be re-evaluated.

Metis who fish and hunt will not be permitted to sell what they harvest, however.

Belcourt said that his organization has about 12,000 registered members. Of that number, a little more than 1,000 hold harvester certificates. Fewer than half those certificates are for big game, according to Belcourt. The MNO has issued harvester certificates since 1995.

"The demand is not that high," said Belcourt last month.

He said they arrived at a figure of 1,250 for the duration of the two-year agreement to build in a 25 per cent margin above the harvester certificates currently issued. Belcourt believes that will be more than adequate to accommodate MNO hunters for the next couple of years.

"We're talking about people who are exercising a right that is a common tradition. People are doing this as a way of life and have been doing it.

"So, it's not as if we're looking at a whole bunch of people who are going to be starting to do it.

"The fact is that those who have the right, have the right; they don't need a card."

He explained Metis have an Aboriginal right to provide for themselves and their families that is protected under Section 35 of Canada's Constitution.

"The card is a means of identification. And so if push came to shove and we found ourselves really short in terms of our commitment, then I wouldn't hesitate going back to the minister if we had to. But as of now ... we have not been deluged with new applications."

Belcourt added, "Not all MNO members with a card have sought re-issue."

MNO sets Dec. 31 as the end of big game season, but Belcourt said that Captains of the Hunt in the various regions who oversee the issuance of certificates are authorized to extend or reduce that window in accordance with local game conditions and environmental concerns.

"Not many people are going to go out on Sept. 1 anyway ... but for those that need to, or if the conditions are right, then they'll go out."

He said in the 10 years MNO has been issuing harvester certificates they have not adjusted the length of season.

"I'm interested in seeing what's going to happen in the rest of the Metis homeland," said Belcourt in reference to the Prairie provinces. "I can't believe that they haven't turned around and recognized the rights in those provinces. It's just unbelievable.

"Hopefully, the fact that we've got the most difficult province to deal with, Ontario, that we have an agreement with that province, has got to help.

"Ontario has historically denied the very existence of Metis people." But he added that has changed, and now "they're wanting to develop a relationship with us."

Jack Falkins, manager for the Ontario Metis and Aboriginal Association which is headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, said when the announcement came out about the other Metis organization's agreement with MNR, they took "a ton of telephone calls" from people wanting to clarify huting rights.

"Because everybody just reads the news, and unfortunately sometimes organizations like the CBC just say, 'this seems to apply to all Metis,' without reading a number of 1,250 in it and putting two and two together which would lead one to believe this is only three per cent, so that's not all Metis.

"It's tough to know how negatively or positively it'll affect our negotiations with the Ministry.

We're the larger organization in Ontario ... over 20,000 to 22,000. I think the MNO's is closer to 5,000 or so."