THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - The president of the Fort Smith Metis Council is hoping construction will be able to resume soon on an elders' cabin in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP).

The Metis started building the cabin in October near the Salt River day use area along Pine Lake Road in the Alberta section of the park.

However, the park ordered construction halted in November.

"That's gone on long enough now," said Ken Hudson, noting it's been more than six months since construction was halted. "It's getting ridiculous."

Rob Kent, the superintendent of WBNP, said construction was halted after concerns were raised by Smith's Landing First Nation and then by Salt River First Nation.

"Essentially, we issued a stop-work order to ensure the appropriate consultation was completed between the Metis and the two First Nations in Fort Smith," said Kent.

The superintendent said the First Nations were concerned about possible adverse effects on harvesting, particularly trapping.

Kent said the park has written the two First Nations seeking clarification and more information about their concerns.

That letter was sent on March 10 and the First Nations were given 45 days to respond, a deadline which expires on April 24.

Kent said a response has been received from Smith's Landing, but not Salt River.

"We're confident in Parks Canada we can come to a resolution here," he said. "We're a big park."

Kent said WBNP supports the idea of an elders' cabin as something that complements the cultural use of the park.

The cabin is small and just off the road, he said.

Kent said there were consultations before construction began on the cabin and it did not start illegally.

However, he said construction may have been premature and there may have been some mis-communication.

Chief Fred Daniel of Smith's Landing First Nation was out of Fort Smith last week and unavailable for comment.

Hudson said the Metis Council provided information to the park before construction started, and the park conducted an environmental assessment and consultations.

The Metis president said he even took a trapper out to look at the site of the proposed cabin.

"I just sat back and waited," Hudson said. "Then they let us build."

The park's only concern was with nearby garter snakes and to ensure all debris from the cabin would be hauled away, he said. "They were happy with that."

During the initial stage of construction, a floor and walls were erected.

"That's still standing," Hudson said, saying the park has covered it with a tarp as a temporary roof.

The Metis Council president said he wasn't totally surprised Smith's Landing and Salt River objected to the cabin, adding the two First Nations are part of Akaitcho Territory Government.

"The Akaitcho has some real issues with Metis having the same rights as them," he said, adding that includes rights in Wood Buffalo National Park.

"What concerns could there possibly be with someone building a cabin?" he wondered.

Metis have regained rights in the park in recent years, based on national court cases, he said.

Hudson himself also challenged limitations on Metis harvesting in Wood Buffalo by hunting.

The cabin for elders was to mainly be a site for social gatherings, and perhaps some fishing in the Salt River.

The site was once a popular fishing area that many of the elders would remember from years gone by, Hudson said. "I know the elders have fond memories of those days."

Hudson hopes construction of the cabin can resume on April 26.

If the park doesn't give permission, he said one of the options for the Metis Council would be to challenge that decision by restarting construction.