The Treaty One Nation Appalled at the Re-naming of Wildlife Management Areas in Manitoba

On April 26, the PC government announced the naming of wildlife management areas in Manitoba. The wildlife areas that have been re-named are situated in Treaty One and Treaty Two Territory, yet the naming process did not include any consultation with the Treaty One Nations or Knowledge Keepers from the region.

“While reading the names of the wildlife management areas, it was clear that no consultation or consideration was taken during this process,” said Treaty One Nation Spokesperson Chief Dennis Meeches. “The names chosen are all non-indigenous men, and I can’t help but wonder what the process was.  There are many notable Treaty One citizens and landmarks that could have been considered, but once again, we were not even invited to contribute.  This is testament to the poor relationship Brian Pallister and his cabinet has with First Nations people of Treaty One.”

The wildlife management areas exist for the protection and conservation of the lands, something that is deeply imbedded in First Nations people’s way of life.

The Treaty One Nation has written to the Minister of Agriculture and Resource Development to urge his department to reconsider the naming of these areas to reflect the importance of the original keepers of the lands in southern Manitoba.

“For our people to be left out of this process shows Mr. Pallister’s ignorance of our people and our lands.  We invite Premier Pallister and his caucus to meet with us and learn the vital roles that Indigenous peoples play in protecting the land and waters in Manitoba,” concluded Meeches.

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For further information or to arrange an interview with Chief Meeches, please contact Blair Strong, Communications Coordinator at Treaty One Nation. Email: bstrong@treaty1.ca