Hunting rights – and wrongs

A First Nations man contacted us after his crossbow was confiscated by a conservation officer while he was hunting in a provincial park on traditional Haudenosaunee lands. He pointed out that he had the right to hunt in the park without a permit.

RESULT: We confirmed he didn’t need permission to hunt in the park, and reviewed how the Ministry of Natural Resources respects established Indigenous treaty rights across Ontario’s parks and on Crown land. Our review highlighted problems with the Ministry’s processes, including that staff were lacking in cultural sensitivity and awareness.

In light of this, the Ministry amended its complaints policy with language and processes that are more appropriate and culturally sensitive to concerns arising from Indigenous communities.