Wayne Cook Sr., reminiscing about his childhood hunting experiences along the river near his northern Manitoba community, recalls encountering around 10 bull moose. However, the 60-year-old now considers himself fortunate to see even one moose in the present day. In the past, Cook used to harvest three to five moose annually in and around Opaskwayak Cree Nation, located approximately 525 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg near the Saskatchewan border, but that number has dwindled to just one.
Moose meat, once a dietary staple, has transformed into a delicacy for the community of 3,500 residents residing on the reserve, according to Cook. He stands in solidarity with First Nations communities in Manitoba that have prohibited licensed hunters from harvesting on their lands in recent years.
Cook, who has guided numerous licensed moose hunters from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the United States through his First Nation, attributes the decline in moose populations to habitat loss caused by nearby hydroelectric and mining projects, compounded by the adverse effects of this year’s severe wildfire season.
Omar Constant, a member of the Diamond Willow Traditional Hunting and Gathering Club in Opaskwayak, notes a similar decline in moose numbers over the past few decades. The club has had to adopt strategic measures to reduce the number of moose harvested along the river, emphasizing the necessity of internal conservation efforts.
Expressing concerns similar to Cook’s, Constant stresses the importance of considering the future implications of the declining moose population on subsequent generations. Both Cook and Constant echo the sentiments raised by various First Nations groups across the province regarding the critical issue.
Legal disputes concerning moose hunting licenses on traditional territories involve Misipawistik Cree Nation and Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Manitoba, with ongoing challenges against the issuance of these licenses. Bloodvein First Nation in southeastern Manitoba has imposed hunting restrictions in its traditional territory, leading to tensions with licensed hunters and provincial interventions.
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation has urged the province to halt a limited moose harvest for Indigenous hunters in western Manitoba due to a significant decline in the moose population despite previous hunting closures in the region. Treaty-based hunters and Métis harvesters hold constitutionally protected rights to hunt, fish, trap, and gather food, with specific allocations of moose tags given to hunters across designated game hunting areas.
Ian Bushie, Manitoba’s natural resources minister, has criticized past provincial administrations for failing to adequately monitor moose populations and reducing funding. He emphasizes the government’s commitment to safeguarding moose populations through scientific approaches and collaborative partnerships, aiming to establish a conservation management framework to preserve hunting traditions for future generations.
The Manitoba Wildlife Federation has expressed concerns over the escalating situation, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address the challenges and ensure sustainable resource management practices. Marc Kruse, from the University of Manitoba’s law school, highlights the significance of building relationships and understanding the cultural importance of moose meat for First Nations communities. He stresses the need for meaningful engagement and collaboration between licensed hunters and Indigenous communities to address the current issues effectively.