Treaty Indian's meat seized, IAA investigates

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The Indian Association along with Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials are investigating an alleged violation of Treaty hunting rights after an Evansburg couple claimed wildmeat was wrongfully seized from them on two separate occasions.

Daniel Desjarlais and his common-law wife Ester Big John were pulled over Oct. 31 at an RCMP check stop near Hobbema, where they were held until Fish and Wildlife officers arrived at the scene and seized moose meat from the Desjarlais trunk.

The couple told association officials, through a Cree interpreter, that they were on their way home from Hobbema with three quarters of a moose that was "dressed and cleaned" when they were stopped. But because they didn't have status cards, the couple say officers allegedly ignored their protests, claiming their two sons (who are fluent in English) tried to convince officers of their status.

Although they didn't have proper identification, the couple claim their sons asked officers to contact Fish and Wildlife authorities in Edmonton or Evansburg where they felt officials could verify their identities.

The following day Fish and Wildlife officers appeared at their home with a search warrant and seized an assortment of wildmeat and hides from the fridge. The couple claim one of the officers involved in the search was aware of their Treaty status. And, in the process of the search, they allege bags of blueberries were opened and left scattered on the floor.

Fish and Wildlife official Ron Hanson says he knows the couple and was aware that they are status Indians. But, Hanson reasons the officers did not act wrongfully because none of Desjarlais' family had "anything to indicate that they were (status) Indians."

Hanson adds the officers acted correctly because they had no choice but to seize the meat until an investigation could be conducted. However, he says he called off the investigation after learning the couple's identity and ordered the officers to return the meat that was taken on the highway near Hobbema.

The family, however, refused to take the meat back, claiming it was "mishandled and spoiled."

Hanson indicates that he will investigate the alleged violations and is prepared to take compensating measures. "If we (Hanson and Desjarlais) agree that the meat is spoiled, then I will certainly replace it," explains Hamson.

The Indian Association of Alberta and Fish and Wildlife are both in the process of investigating the incidents.