Hunters charge harassment from game wardens

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The Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) is concerned that Native hunters may be receiving unfair treatment from game wardens.

Ester Big John told association officials earlier this month that she and her husband Daniel Desjarlais allegedly had their Treaty hunting rights violated when Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers seized three quarters of a moose from the couple on Oct. 31 near the Hobbema reserve.

The following day wild game hides and more meat was taken from their Evansburg home. Although the couple did not have proper identification, they are status Indians.

Through a Cree interpreter, Big John claims their sons (who are fluent in English) pleaded with Fish and Wildlife officers and tried to convince them of their status but to no avail. They also claim that one of the officers who came to their home was aware of their status. The IAA is still investigating the matter.

Ken Steinhauer, Fish and Wildlife adviser to the Indian Association, says this kind of alleged "harassment has to be stopped."

Steinhauer claims other similar cases are occurring throughout the province and adds that game wardens are allegedly taking sides, bending rules for non-Native and throwing the book at Indian hunters.

He reported that a Fish and Wildlife officer gave an illegally killed elk to a non-Native farmer near Athabasca Oct. 17 for helping haul it from the bush. The meat should have been given to charity, says Steinhauer.

But, he didn't become upset until he learned the same officer was also responsible for sending a 78-year-old Metis trapper to court for shooting a spruce grouse without a licence about one year earlier.

Clement Powder was charged with illegal possession of wildlife Oct 10, 1986 and spent two and a half days in jail instead of paying a fine.

Director of operations for Fish and Wildlife, Jim Nichols agrees that poached meat is usually given to charity. But, Nichols says the warden made a judgment call, adding that charges against Natives are rarely pressed.