New proposed policy could jeopardize Native big game hunters

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A proposed policy affecting big game hunting in Alberta is scheduled to go before the legislature in mid-March of this year. Quite recently, however, there have been expressions of concern from the Native and non-Native community that the policy may have serious implications regarding Aboriginal hunting rights.

According to Russell Plante, Native hunter from Edson and Norman Stienwand of Castor who happens to be the president of the Independent Alberta Guides and Outfitters of Alberta (AIGO), there is, indeed, cause for concern.

The chief danger says Stienwand, respects the salability, transferability of permits for hunting. Also at stake are the allotments of big game which would mean less for Native people, he said.

The real shocker, according to Stienwand comes in the form of what areas would then be accessible for hunting and who would control licencing. The new policy, if accepted, would remove the government controls and put it in the hands of private business. This means that Natives would have to deal with that new system when reapplying for their licence. "When they go in after march 31 to renew their licences, they're going to be advised, 'sorry fella, you are history' and they don't even know it's coming down," explained Stienwand. He says that the proposed policy is a travesty. Money-oriented and monopolistic are key terms here. For example, there is only one Native in the province in the sheep guiding industry because the rest have been eliminated through competition. That is what will happen in this situation says Stienwand because " it's going to be under contract of some big multi-million dollar corporation. And, it will take a lot of money to benefit from the corporation or whatever system is put in place," he added. This is a very real fear. Anyone with a lot of money "can virtually monopolize the industry and completely take over our forest grazing leases, alpine grazing leases, deeded lands and community pastures all because they have the money."

Stienwand charges that the government is being insensitive, blind and stone-hearted. "It's total inconsideration of our heritage... of the people that put them into power,' he stated. The industry he says will be dominated by outsiders. "A lot will be American...and Europeans because this is the most lucrative deal in the world because we in Alberta are so unique. "We have been the envy of the rest of the world because we have what they do not, Stienwand said in relation to the areas and rights of Albertans to hunt throughout such a vast range of the province.

Russell Plante agrees. "Once this is passed, how long is it before I cannot go in those areas? When all the moose, elk, whitetail and other big game is allotted to the different outfitters, where am I going to go hunting?"

Where will he hunt indeed! With grazing and pasturing leases tied up as well as Crown lands, where will the Indian hunter go if he cannot go anywhere outside of his own reserve?

"The problem right now," says Plante, "is our Native people don't know what is happening. A lot are saying the government can't do this because they're protected by Ottawa. There's no such thing as can't," exclaimed Plante, "I've seen this before - I've seen it in the logging industry and it looks like this is heading in the same direction." He sees the future as one that will attract the speculators and monopolizers.

It could well become a situation for those out to make big money adds Stienwand. It would be the large corporations and oil firms that could use their investments as tax write-offs and the little guy will not be able to benefit at all; he'll be squeezed out of the market. He provides an example where, on the east side of the province he knows of several operators. "These people are asking in the neighborhood of $4,200 (American) a week for whitetail hunting" which is $6,000 Canadian. If there's 100 permits or licence sold in there right now, that's over half a million dollars and ow can the resident hunter or Native hunter compete against that kind of money?" he questions.

These permit holders would be able to raise their fees and effectively remove the Native hunter from the picture says a perturbed Stienwand. "First off, the game belongs to the Native people, then it belongs to the Albertan...when they are allotting up to 20% of the big game harvest for non-resident use, that's taking away from the rights of the Native people," he added. He calls it a "mockery" against Treaty and constitutional rights.

Plante also questions the supposed wisdom of this injustice. "What good is entrenchment of Treaty rights if they give you rights on one hand but are taking away with the other hand? While everybody is saying they can't do that, they're already doing it."

Although Fish and Wildlife officers and the Fish and Game Association support our cause," claims Stienwand, they are powerless because the decisions are being made at the political level. Those politicians and the advisory committee to the minister in charge of Forestry, Don Sparrow, are "people unfamiliar and totally unaware of the ramifications of this policy," says Stienwand. He adds that, "Mr. Sparrow simply turns a deaf ear because his advisory people say, in fact act, that this is good for the industry." Stienwand also decries the fact that the advisory committee consists of some individuals who appear to be vested interests because they are in the guiding outfitting business themselves and see this is nothing short of their golden opportunity to capitalize on the proposed policy.

When asked by Windspeaker what the people can do about it, both Stienwand and Plante urged the public to lobby the politicians. They suggest that the public send letters to their MLAs and the premier or at least phone them and voice their objection to the "Non-resident Big Game Outfitting and Guiding Proposal."

If the government should push the policy through says Stienwand, he challenges the public to ote differently the next time they go to the polls. "I don't care if they have to vote for a pig in a barrel," he suggests, "but make sure it ain't for the Conservative party because they have completed turned a deaf ear to the need and wants of the people."

In concluding, the public is being requested to get to their political leaders and provincial MLAs quickly as time is most important and the policy is going before the house in just a matter of weeks.