Manitoba's Wild Divide: A Federation's Fight, Land Defenders' Stand, and the Courts Caught in Between

There’s a tension simmering in Manitoba, a sort of slow-burn conflict that, let’s be honest, has probably been brewing for generations. But now, it’s spilled over into the courts, dramatically so, with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) launching a rather significant legal offensive against Indigenous land and water defenders.

It’s not just a squabble, you see; it’s a full-blown request for a permanent injunction, aimed squarely at stopping what the federation calls disruptive blockades and outright interference with hunting.

Now, from the MWF’s vantage point, and they represent a fair chunk of licensed hunters, anglers, and trappers across the province, this isn't just about inconvenience.

Not at all. Their argument, laid out in court documents, points to alleged public nuisance, yes, but also intimidation and harassment. Their members, they say, are simply trying to exercise their lawful rights to hunt, only to be met with road closures and, well, interference – sometimes, they claim, even being prevented from accessing areas for hunting, or even from safely leaving.

But of course, there’s another side to this story, a deeply felt perspective from the land and water defenders, many of whom are part of the Wa Ni Ska Tan group.

For them, these aren’t mere protests; these are powerful statements about inherent Indigenous rights, about their connection to traditional territories, about protecting the land and water that, they argue, are being threatened by resource development and, frankly, a system that too often ignores their voice.

They feel, quite profoundly, that their traditional hunting and fishing grounds are under siege, and frankly, that they’ve been left with precious few other avenues to be heard.

The specific incidents sparking this legal action? Primarily, we’re talking about blockades on Provincial Trunk Highway (PTH) 6 in the Netley Creek area, not far from places like Lake St.

Martin First Nation. These actions, say the MWF, have caused economic harm, certainly, but also created safety concerns for their members. And for once, it seems the patience of the federation, representing thousands, has simply worn thin.

So, what’s the MWF actually asking the courts to do? Essentially, they want an order – a permanent one, mind you – that would bar these protestors from establishing future blockades on provincial highways.

They also want to stop them from interfering with hunting, fishing, and trapping activities that are, according to provincial law, entirely legal. It’s a bold move, no doubt, and it sets the stage for what promises to be a complex, emotionally charged legal showdown.

In truth, this case, slated for a hearing on April 10, 2024, is far more than just a dispute over a blocked road or a disrupted hunt.

It really is a microcosm of a much larger, ongoing dialogue – or perhaps, a shouting match – about treaty rights, inherent rights, and who truly holds sway over Manitoba’s vast natural resources. The provincial government, it must be said, hasn't explicitly waded into the lawsuit itself, though they’ve acknowledged the protests.

But then again, perhaps this is a conversation that truly needs the courts to help navigate, imperfect as that process often is. It’s a challenge that cuts deep into the heart of what it means to coexist, to share, and to respect varying claims to the land we all inhabit.