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Pimicikamak Okimawin has filed for an injunction to stop licensed moose hunting in their traditional territory. The request was submitted on Monday as the fall hunting season approaches.
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“Moose are an essential source of food for Pimicikamak families. Treaty No. 5 promises that we have a right to hunt and fish to meet our food needs from within our traditional lands,” said Chief David Monias of Pimicikamak Okimawin.
Chief Monias added that the community moose hunt is crucial for their cultural identity and spiritual connection to the land. He emphasized that the Northern Flood Agreement of 1977 grants them top priority for wildlife resources and mandates that Manitoba prohibit non-resident hunting in their resource area.
“The Supreme Court of Canada says that we exercise our right to hunt to meet our food needs as a right of top priority over all other users where game and fish populations are limited. The Manitoba Hydro projects have decimated moose habitat and populations in Pimicikamak traditional territory,” said Monias.
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He criticized Manitoba’s decision on July 11, 2024, to issue hunting licenses for Pimicikamak territory, calling it a violation of their Treaty and Northern Flood Agreement rights.
“Pimicikamak is seeking an injunction to cancel all licenses issued by Manitoba to hunt moose in Pimicikamak territory this year,” he said.
Monias expressed frustration over Manitoba’s handling of the moose population and its impact on their community.
“The moose population is in a state of crisis right now that is closely related to the repeated infringements of our Treaty and Northern Flood Agreement rights,” he said.
The chief also pointed out that Manitoba has ignored previous requests to uphold Treaty rights and address the impacts of Hydro development. He called for immediate action to protect the moose population and their traditional rights.
Pimicikamak Okimawin is represented in this matter by the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) of Legal Aid Manitoba and supported by Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.
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