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A moose grazes in a field of canola bordering the Trans-Canada Highway west of Brandon in this file photo. In a recently filed statement of defence, the province argues a First Nation\u2019s moose-hunting lawsuit should be tossed out. (File)<\/p>\n
\u201cManitoba denies that there have been any unjustified infringements of Treaty No. 5, that it has failed to act honourably toward the plaintiff, or that any court intervention or other remedy is required,\u201d reads the government court filing.<\/p>\n
\u201cManitoba states that its obligation to the plaintiff with respect to hunting within the plaintiff\u2019s asserted traditional territories is governed by legislation, the public interest and Manitoba\u2019s legal and constitutional obligations, including Treaty No. 5.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Manitoba government argues it has implemented treaty rights and obligations in keeping with the honour of the Crown and denies any breach of Misipawistik\u2019s treaty rights in a way that would require a legal remedy.<\/p>\n
Further, the province argues it has been prejudiced by Misipawistik\u2019s delay in filing the lawsuit and therefore, it claims, the community is not entitled to the damages sought.<\/p>\n
The province admits that moose populations are in decline across North America, but argues the factors leading to those declines are multi-faceted and include climate change, disease and human pressures, as well as hunting.<\/p>\n
In 2024, Misipawistik warned the province that its members couldn\u2019t meaningfully hunt for moose in its traditional territory and asked the government to put a hold on licences.<\/p>\n
The government reduced the number issued that year and committed to working with the community to determine population dynamics and food needs of the First Nation.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
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But the province then issued 136 licences and 68 tags for bull moose for the three hunting areas in the territory in 2025, with which the Misipawistik Chief Heidi Cook again raised concerns.<\/p>\n
The province, in its statement of defence, says the government gave information about the guidelines, methodology and calculations it used to support the decision to issue licences in 2025 to Misipawistik.<\/p>\n
In November, Cook urged the province to cancel licences issued for areas that overlapped with the community\u2019s traditional territories for the December hunting season.<\/p>\n
At the time, the natural resources minister said his department would meet with the community and others with an interest in the matter.<\/p>\n
erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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Erik Pindera Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020.\u00a0 Read more about Erik<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Erik produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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