Metis seeks a court date, wardens seek sidearms
Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Fort Smith (Feb 19/01) - Kenny Hudson can't even get arrested.
Last fall, his attempt to win hunting rights for Metis in Wood Buffalo National Park hit a dead end in court when the Crown stayed charges over a 1999 moose hunt.
In protest, he shot a dozen spruce hens in the park last September.
To mark the second anniversary of his fight, he shot a moose in Wood Buffalo National Park Feb. 10.
He then called park warden Steve Malcolm.
"I said, 'You feel like skinning a moose?' I just shot one in the park,'" Hudson said later. Malcolm said he'd get back to him.
An hour later, Malcolm called back and told him the RCMP would be handling the case.
Police are investigating and can't say if charges will be laid in this case.
Hudson is caught up in a dispute between game wardens and Parks Canada.
Wardens are no longer enforcing laws, pending a review of whether they should be allowed to carry sidearms.
Hudson said he's not surprised the park officers feel the need to arm themselves.
"In every province in Canada, they've cheated people out of the best hunting areas, and now they want sidearms because they think they might get into some confrontation," Hudson said.
Hudson's lawyer, Jean Teillet said they will wait and see if charges are laid in this latest case, but will use the same defence as two years ago. Teillet also represents Ontario Metis Steve Powley and his son Roddy Powley in a similar challenge of hunting restrictions faced by Metis.
The Powleys won the first case, but it was appealed by the Ontario government.
The appeal court decision isn't expected until April or May.
