FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron expressed concerns regarding systemic racsim after an incident involving a treaty hunter and a conservation officer. (Bryn Levy/650 CKOM)

By Elliott Knopp

FSIN Racism Concerns

Incident involving conservation officer, treaty hunter sparks FSIN concerns of systemic racism

Feb 24, 2021 | 9:24 AM

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous First Nations (FSIN) has stated it’s concerned with ‘systemic racism’ in the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment’s Conservation Field Services. It comes after another reported incident involving a treaty hunter and a Saskatchewan Conservation Officer (CO).

In a media release, the FSIN said Canoe Lake Cree First Nation band member Darcy Iron says he was hunting with his two young children near Humboldt, when he was approached by a CO. The officer checked the weapons belonging to Iron and left the scene shortly after. A few moments after the encounter, Iron and his children began to drive back to the city so the children could use the washroom before they were pulled over by the same officer. Iron’s guns were seized and he was detained in the CO’s vehicle for over an hour while his children were left alone in his vehicle.

Iron claimed he was subjected to racial comments from the CO and wasn’t allowed to tend to his children during this time.

“While I was in his car, the CO said ‘You guys are always driving around shooting out your windows and ruining things for everyone,’” Iron said. “I wasn’t shooting out my window and I know that he was referring to First Nations hunters. My children were left alone in my vehicle with no information for over an hour. They were scared, and now they don’t feel safe going out hunting because they see what happens to us even though we did nothing wrong. I’m fine, but my children are the victims here and they deserve an apology and to see that there is accountability.”

Canoe Lake Cree Nation Chief Francis Iron stated Darcy Iron was completely within his treaty rights as he was showing his children aspects of Indigenous way of life leading up to his detainment.

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“These are young children and it’s unconscionable that they were treated this way by any person, let alone an officer,” Chief Iron said. “Leaving them alone after watching their parent being placed into an officer’s cruiser, without telling them anything is totally unacceptable. This is going to affect them for the rest of their lives. Saskatchewan Environment needs to address this matter immediately.”

After Iron was released, his guns were not returned for over a month because he did not have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). In the media release, the FSIN said the federal government’s Firearms Act clearly states First Nation Treaty Hunters do not need a PAL to hunt, the Province’s position requires a PAL to pick up seized guns.

FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear said the incident demonstrates that treaty hunters are being racially profiled and harassed while they exercise their constitutionally-protected rights, also calling for the province to address systemic racism.

“Our First Nations Inherent and Treaty Rights are under siege and our constitutionally protected rights to hunt, fish, trap and gather are continuously infringed upon. These incidents are increasing and will not stop until the province addresses the systemic racism within their own ranks,” Bear stated.

“First Nations Treaty Rights trump Provincial law” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “The highest settler Court has also affirmed this time and time again, most recently in the Kristjan Pierone decision. We will continue to execute and implement our Inherent and Treaty Rights to hunt, fish, trap and gather.”

Government response

In a statement to meadowlakeNOW, the Ministry of Environment said it will launch an investigation into the incident, adding “the Ministry values its relationship with the FSIN and welcomes new opportunities to address all issues in a collaborative and constructive manner.”

The FSIN is advising Indigenous people of a form they can fill out on the FSIN website if they encounter any incidents or negative experiences while they are exercising their inherent treaty rights.

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Elliott.Knopp@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp