Natural Resources

September 29, 2012

PROVINCE PARTNERS WITH MANITOBA METIS FEDERATION TO UPHOLD MéTIS HARVESTING RIGHTS, NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Based on rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada involving aboriginal rights for Métis people, the government of Manitoba is partnering with the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) to recognize Métis rights to harvest natural resources for food and domestic use in Manitoba, and to acknowledge the Métis peoples’ commitment to conserve and respect the resources that sustain those rights, Premier Greg Selinger and David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation, announced today.
“In addition to recent jurisprudence, history makes it clear that Métis people have aboriginal harvesting rights in certain regions of Manitoba,” said Selinger.  “Through co-operation with the MMF, we have been able to attain a balance of recognizing those rights while ensuring an orderly approach to conservation and enforcement.  I commend the MMF on their commitment to meet the traditional responsibility to protect the wildlife, fish and other resources we all depend on.”
The agreement, signed today at the MMF’s 44th Annual General Assembly, provides for the recognition of Métis harvesting rights in mutually agreed to regions of the province, and relies on the MMF’s Metis Laws of the Hunt as the basis for the development of new provincial regulations to govern Métis harvesting.  As well, MMF Harvester Cards will be recognized as a means to identify Métis harvesters.
The agreement also commits to collaborative processes for examining Métis harvesting right claims in regions of the province outside of the designated Métis Natural Resource Harvesting Zone and for establishing a working group to monitor and address issues relating to Métis rights-based natural resource harvesting. 

“Based on many years of discussion and decisions from the courts, I am very proud to jointly announce this Métis Harvesting Agreement between the government of Manitoba and the Manitoba Métis,” said Chartrand.  “Our Métis laws and the provincial laws will now work together to improve resource management and sustainability.  I want to thank Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh for his dedication to getting to this historic moment.  With this agreement, the Selinger government is taking a leadership role within Canada on the recognition of the constitutional rights of the Métis people.”
“The conservation principles of the Métis Laws of the Hunt are similar to those for licensed hunters and anglers,” said Reid Woods, president, Manitoba Wildlife Federation.  “I commend the MMF for this responsible approach, and encourage other provinces to look to Manitoba for an exceptional model of dedication to sustainable use of natural resources.”
As part of the recognition of Métis harvesting rights, Métis people will continue to be required to follow safety and conservation regulations.  It is expected the regulations respecting Métis harvesting, based on today’s agreement, will be finalized later this fall.

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The government of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the Province of Manitoba and the Manitoba Metis Federation.

April 27, 2012

MANITOBA TO HOST PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCIENCE FAIR

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Eighth International Fair Helping Engage Students in Science: Allan

Education Minister Nancy Allan will help kick off the eighth annual International Student Science Fair (ISSF) at the University of Manitoba on Monday, marking the first time the event has been held in Canada.
“This event is helping get our children excited about learning and builds on the provincial government’s goal of improving the quality of education for every student in Manitoba,” said Allan.  “More specifically, it supports our commitment to enhance student engagement in science and support professional learning for science teachers as part of the Manitoba Science Education Action Plan.”
The ISSF is an annual event that brings together high-school students, teachers and school leaders who are passionate about mathematics and science, to share and develop the learning and teaching of science research and education.
Forty-two schools from 17 countries are participating in this year’s fair, which is co-hosted by Fort Richmond Collegiate and the Pembina Trails School Division, in partnership with Manitoba Education.
The theme for ISSF 2012 is Living Sustainably – The Role of Science and Technology.  Within this theme, participants will explore relevant topics of study in six different areas:

• clean water,
• climate change,
• sustainable energy,
• feeding the world,
• health and genomics, and
• science for society.

Students will also have the opportunity to work with world-renowned researchers from Manitoba universities, as well as government and non-governmental organizations, the minister said.

“Helping kids make the connection between their science class and their everyday lives early on will help keep them engaged as they grow up and set them on a path toward more learning opportunities and good job opportunities,” said Allan.
Most activities will be held at the University of Manitoba, with some taking place at Fort Richmond Collegiate.
For more information about the ISSF, go to www.issf2012.org/.

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