First Nations

The Rights and Responsibilities of First Nations Trappers in Manitoba

The Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (1930), which forms part of The Constitution Act (1982), provides that First Nations people have the right to trap for food:

• at all seasons of the year on all unoccupied Crown lands
• on any other lands to which they may have the right of access

Recognizing the Treaty and Constitutional rights of First Nations people, Manitoba Conservation recognizes that status Indian people, when trapping for food or traditional ceremonial purposes on lands where they have a right of access:

• do not require licences
• are not restricted to specific seasons
• are not restricted to limits unless there restrictions that are intended for conservation purposes
• may share the meat and fur with non-status family members living in the same residence
• are not subject to equipment restrictions including those as specified under EU Regulation #3254/91 or more commonly known as the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards

First Nations people generally have the right of access to trap for food or traditional
ceremonial purposes within:

• Indian Reserves, Wildlife Management Areas, Provincial Forests, areas of Provincial Parks where licensed trapping is permitted, unoccupied Crown lands, and other Crown lands where licensed hunting or trapping is permitted
• private land with the permission of the landowner or occupant
• federal land, such as PFRA/community pastures and CFB Shilo, when such lands are opened to the public for trapping, or with the permission of the Pasture Manager or Base Commander

No person (status or non-status) may trap within:

• Riding Mountain National Park, Birds Hill Provincial Park, Beaudry Provincial Heritage Park or Pembina Valley Provincial Park
• areas of provincial parks closed to all hunting or trapping
• Wildlife Refuges and most Ecological Reserves
• areas closed to all persons for specific conservation purposes