Hunting guidelines proposed for B.C. Aboriginals

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Almost three years after the landmark Sparrow case upholding Aboriginal hunting and fishing rights, provincial officials have released guidelines defining and regulations those rights.

The Interim Guidelines on Aboriginal Use of Fish and Wildlife was released in March by the B.C. environment ministry. In it, harvesting procedures and restrictions are outlined, based on Aboriginal rights and conservation measures.

The guidelines are timely in a province where outfitting is an important industry, and where tensions between non-Native and Aboriginal hunters run high.

"It will help to defuse the situation. Now that the government has issued this paper, we'll be taken more seriously," said Lexine Phillipps, with the Ktunaxa-Kinbasket tribal council. She added that while the paper is worthwhile, it is only temporary. Several issue still have to be worked out to First Nations' satisfaction.

The guidelines confirm Aboriginal priority in sustenance hunting and fishing in traditional territories, subject to conservation concerns. Permits, seasons or harvest restrictions are based on low resource numbers were also outlined.

The Ktunaxa-Kinbasket council has been trying for more than a year to develop a joint policy such as the interim paper suggests, said Phillipps, associate director of land and resources with the council. They support many of the guidelines, particularly those involving monitoring wildlife populations.

"We have always maintained that our main concern is conservation as well," she said.

The paper is a stepping-stone for joint discussions on fishing and hunting, said a provincial official.

Tom Wood, Director of Native Affairs for B.C. environment, said there was a solid support for the process by the entire B.C. cabinet. Wildlife groups will also be involved, along with First Nations representatives, in ironing out final details of the provincial documents.

"My expectations is that we can use this as a vehicle to effective management, and maintain good sustainable resources," Wood said.

The guidelines suggest a self-administered permit system which would help gather information on Aboriginal harvests for wildlife management purposes.

That may help dispel some of the mistrust and hard feelings expressed by non-Native hunters in this wildlife paradise. Guide and outfitter groups, along with several wildlife conservation groups, have complained about alleged misuse of Aboriginal rights in hunting.

The tribe was embroiled in a national controversy earlier this year when a Native hunter shot a ram out of season. Non-Native groups alleged he was trophy hunting because the horns were taken, while the hunter claimed to be exercising his right as an Aboriginal to sustenance hunting regardless of season. His case will be heard April 19 in Nelson, B.C.

The Ktunaxa-Kinbasket council didn't take a position i the case, but they are well aware of the conflict between Native and non-Native hunters.

"We refuse to get into a battle over our rights. We don't support trophy hunting but we do support any people that sustenance hunt."

"It's through (non-Natives) own ignorance that makes things like this come about," Phillipps said. She hopes the guidelines will clarify the issues for all sides involved.