Pinehouse Man Tests Metis Fishing Rights In Court
Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 15:24
A Pinehouse man is fighting an alleged fishing violation in court in an attempt to get some clarity on Metis harvesting rights in his region.
Gary Smith was charged with fishing over the legal limit after after doing some fishing at nearby Gordon Lake in August 2003.
Smith maintains he was fishing for subsistence purposes — a right he says Metis have won in various court rulings.
He says he could have pleaded guilty and paid a small fine, but he wants to see how Metis fishing rights play out in his home community.
Smith is defending himself on the charge and was in a Pinehouse court room yesterday to make his arguments.
The judge has reserved his decision until June 15th.