Saskatchewan

In 1994, the Métis Nation - Saskatchewan passed the Métis Wildlife and Conservation Act ("Wildlife Act") and accompanying regulations. This Wildlife Act provides for the facilitation of the Métis harvest in Saskatchewan by providing for the issuance of licenses to Métis harvesters, as well as, establishing safety and conservation standards.

Since 1996, with the decision in R. v. Morin & Daigneault, Métis in northwest Saskatchewan have had their constitutional right to harvest for food recognized in law. Based on this decision, Saskatchewan Environment ("SE") unilaterally adopted a policy response that Métis, who were living north of the Northern Administration District ("NAD") in a community they have a longstanding connection to and who were practicing a traditional lifestyle can harvest for food without a license.

The MNS does not agree with SE's narrow interpretation of the law relating to Métis rights in the province and since the release of the Powley case it has pushed for negotiations in order to enter into a province-wide Métis harvesting agreement. To date, the Government of Saskatchewan has refused to negotiate with the MNS.

What does this mean for Métis harvesters in Saskatchewan this year?

The MNS has instructed Métis citizens in Saskatchewan to use their MNS Citizenship Cards for identification purposes for the harvest this fall and to follow the Wildlife Act. Since there is no agreement in place between the MNS and SE, Métis harvesters should be aware that they may be charged.

For Métis who permanently reside north of the NAD, in a community they have a longstanding connection to, and who are practicing a traditional lifestyle, they can harvest for food without a license.

For information on Métis harvesting in Saskatchewan contact:

Métis Nation - Saskatchewan
1-800-343-6667 (Saskatchewan Only)
306-343-8285
www.metisnation-sask.com