Metis Group Distances Itself From Fishing Protest

Metis Group Distances Itself From Fishing Protest

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 15:40

A Saskatchewan Metis leader says the organizers of a protest fish harvest in Alberta this past weekend don’t speak for his organization.

Louis Gardiner is a Metis Nation of Saskatchewan area director based in Ile-a-la-Crosse, and one of the co-chairs of the Northwest Metis Council.

The council was linked to Sunday’s attempt by Metis fishers on Garson Lake to draw the Alberta government into charging them with illegal fishing.

But Gardiner says his fellow council members haven’t discussed the matter — and don’t have a position on the issue.

Gardiner is also concerned about what impact this sort of action might have on talks the Metis are having with the Saskatchewan government on harvesting rights.

The leaders of Sunday’s protest are promising a similar demonstration on another Alberta lake this winter.