Native Moose Harvest

First Nation Harvest

Recently, an agreement between the Province of Ontario and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake) First Nation, on behalf of the Algonquins, was established whereby it was recognized and agreed that first Nation members and other eligible persons of Algonquin descent could harvest biologically pre-determined numbers of bull, cow and calf moose from Algonquin Park. Yearly interim agreements have been signed pending settlement of the Algonquin land claim, up to and including the year 2000. While no such agreement was signed for the 2001 hunt, sustainable harvest targets were not exceeded.

The Algonquin Eco Watch Group is sympathetic to the principle of native rights. Aboriginal groups need to be treated fairly in modern society. Algonquin Eco Watch’s primary concern however, is to maintain healthy ecological systems and foster the ethical treatment of animals and ecosystems in Algonquin Park. Hunting in the Park may change the natural ecological balance of such species as moose and wolves in the area by removing dominant animals and altering natural predator prey relationships. As well, the relatively sudden impact of hunting on a previously unhunted population may be viewed as unfair in an ethical sense. For these reasons, Algonquin Eco Watch does not support hunting by anyone in Algonquin Park.

To date, no fishing agreement has been signed between the Province of Ontario and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (Golden Lake) First Nation, on behalf of the Algonquins, regarding fishing within Algonquin Park. Algonquin Eco Watch is concerned that this could lead to over-harvesting, particularly of genetically unique populations of brook and lake trout, which are exceptionally vulnerable to winter fishing. For this reason, Algonquin Eco Watch urges all parties to seek agreement regarding First Nation fish harvesting in Algonquin Park with the utmost expediency, and offers to assist in this process in any way feasible. In the interests of equitable resource sharing/protection, Algonquin Eco Watch further feels that fish harvesting in Algonquin Park by non-natives should be coincidentally reviewed.

The Algonquin Eco Watch Group working with the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation has established a program to assist First Nation members and others of Algonquin descent to further their education in the field of resource management.