Williams illiams Treaties have a Wspecial relationship with the lands, including the water and resources— Treaties not only in their traditional area, but throughout gichii mukinaak (Big Turtle). Protection, conservation and sustainable Harvesting collaborative management are a priority for the Williams Treaties First Nations. Harvesting of fish, wildlife, trapping and Guide gathering will be carried out in Treaty 20 in accordance with these values – the Seven Williams Treaties Grandfathers Teachings...

First Nations Harvesting Nibwaakaawin – Wisdom Guidelines in Treaty 20 Zaagiidwin – Love Minaadendamowin – Respect Aakode’win – Bravery Gwayakwaadiziwin – Honesty Dabaadendiziwin – Humility Debwewin – Truth

VERSION ONE

Introduction Traditional Harvesting

his publication is produced by the Williams Treaties First n addition to hunting and fishing, the Williams Treaties First TNations and is intended as a harvesting guide for the Treaty INations have traditionally harvested for medicine, food, 20 area for all harvesters. The Williams Treaties First Nations social and ceremonial purposes, including but not limited to the and the Ministry of Natural Resources participated in the harvesting of: development of the messages contained in this guide without  Manomin – Wild Rice prejudice to ongoing litigation and negotiations.  Wiigwaas – Birch Bark  Miinaan – Berries  Medicinal Plants History Mushkiikiiwug including Cedar, Sage, Sweetgrass, Sweetflag, Ginseng, etc. he Williams  Maple Syrup TTreaties First Nations are comprised The harvesters of the Williams Treaties of the First Nations recognize the importance of Alderville First of conservation and protection and will Nation, Curve Lake only harvest the above for personal and First Nation, Hiawatha community use. First Nation, Scugog Island First Nation and the Chippewas of , Georgina Island First Nation and the Rama First Nation. The traditional territories of the Williams Treaties First Nations are located primarily in the Georgian Bay and Lake watersheds and includes certain principal tributaries and streams.

With Rights come great responsibilities Species at Risk are of concern to us all

What is the Interim Enforcement Transportation of Wildlife Inter Territorial Harvesting (ITH) Safety Concerns ACCESS Policy? and Permission Forms Areas for Harvesting in Treaty 20 embers of Williams Treaties First Nations may transport Night Hunting Background his policy directs MNR to use enforcement discretion and Mfish and wildlife harvested in the area of Treaty 20  Consistent with the Court’s decision in R. v. Shipman,  The primary concern with respect to night hunting is  Access to crown lands is allowed. Twas designed to recognize the priority rights of Aboriginal anywhere in the province. permission to harvest must be granted by the Chief or his or safety, and given the geography of Treaty 20, it is likely that  Parks and protected areas – Addressed on a case by case basis n October 29, 2012,in Alderville Indian Band et al v. Her people exercising a constitutionally protected right to harvest her designate. night hunting would be considered unsafe and would be and always includes safety concerns. Please contact your First OMajesty the Queen et al, Canada and Ontario took the fish or wildlife for personal or community subsistence purposes. If you encounter a conservation officer, you can expect that the  Should a Chief choose to grant an individual from another investigated by a conservation officer. Nation office for protocol before harvesting. position at trial that harvesting rights associated with pre- Aboriginal people harvesting fish or wildlife for personal officer may ask: First Nation, other than the Williams Treaties First Nations,  Permission to access privately owned lands is required. confederation treaties signed by the Williams Treaties First consumption or for social or ceremonial purposes are not  for identification verifying membership in a Williams permission to harvest in the area of Treaty 20, generally the Calibre Restrictions A landowner permission form is available at Nations were not intended to be surrendered in 1923, particularly required to hold the otherwise applicable Ontario license and Treaties First Nations community permission would be recognized by conservation officers.  Generally calibre restrictions do not apply to individuals williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca. the Treaty 20 (1818) area which was the subject of judicial will not be subject to enforcement action, except in certain  where/when the fish or wildlife was harvested  The Williams Treaties First Nations have an internal harvesting pursuant to an Aboriginal or treaty right. However,  In accessing provincial parks, a harvester can contact the Park scrutiny in Taylor and Williams, 1981. circumstances. These exceptions include: hunting and fishing  who participated in the harvest protocol for considering and approving ITH which includes all hunters including Aboriginal hunters are required to handle Superintendent to advise of intent to access and coordinate and in an unsafe manner; taking fish and wildlife for commercial  if hunting, a conservation officer may ask to see your firearm establishing time limit, catch limits, boundaries, and and discharge firearms in a safe manner. to ensure safety, parking and vehicle identification are addressed. This position recognizes the Williams Treaties people’s purposes (where a commercial harvesting right has not been to ensure it is being transported safely (unloaded and contacting and collaborating with one another. Contact information at williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca. constitutionally protected harvesting rights in Treaty 20. This recognized by a Court and no license is held); taking fish and encased).  An ITH form is available on the Williams Treaties First Firearm Transportation means Williams Treaties harvesters are able to exercise rights in wildlife that puts conservation objectives at risks; hunting or Nations website at: williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca  Firearms must be transported unloaded and encased. Williams Treaties First Nations line with those of other treaty people in most of Ontario. fishing on privately owned or occupied land without permission Harvesting Contacts: of the landowner. Harvesting from a canoe or motor boat – safety considerations for  Office – 905 352-2011 Fish Sanctuaries harvesters:  Beausoleil First Nation Office – 705 247-2051  Type of firearm (shotgun/rifle)  Office – 705 657-8045 Please refrain from fishing during the spawning season in fish  Number of people in the boat/canoe  Georgina Island First Nation Office – 705 437-1337 sanctuaries!  Stability of the boat  Office – 705 295-4421 Sustainability and Conservation are priorities  Other boats/people in the vicinity A map of the fish sanctuaries can be located at  Rama First Nation Office – 705 325-3611 williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca  Scugog First Nation Office – 905 985-3337  Muskellunge caught in 1951, For further information about conservation concerns and messages from Chiefs and Councils Williamstreatiesfirstnations.ca