Province apologizes after wildlife officers seize fish from northern Alberta Mtis camp

The Alberta government has apologized to a northern Alberta Mtis community after wildlife officers confiscated25 fish from a camp near Christina Lake on Friday.

"This was an unfortunate circumstance," Indigenous Relations Minister Richard Feehan said in a media release Saturday.

"I understand there may have been some issues with the licensing, but I think this situation could have been avoided. I commit that we will take steps to ensure this doesn't happen again."

The apology comes after the Sept. 15incident at the Conklin Metis Cultural Camp, around 150 kilometres south ofFort McMurray,was filmed and posted on Facebook.

Fish and Wildlife investigators were called to the camp because of an illegal net in Christina Lake, themedia release said.

Officers did not find the net. After the fish were seized, two people were given appearance notices for fishing without a licence.

Alberta requires people who fish with a net to have a Metis Domestic Fishing Licence.

Video shows a Fish and Wildlife officer takingsmoked lake whitefish hanging from wooden beams and placing them in a plastic bag as community members watch.

Some onlookers confront the officer, saying he has no legal authority to confiscate fish they have been traditionally harvesting for decades.

"This is Canada, where Mtis and First Nations people belong," one person says in the video. "This is our land."

According to the media release, Feehanapologized to MtisLocal 193 President Shirley Tremblay andVice-President Ernie Desjarlais.

The government says it will work with community members in the coming days to ensure they have appropriate licences.

MinisterFeehanwas not available Saturday for an interview.

Mtisin Fort McMurray and surrounding communities have long said the provincial government has ignored their hunting, fishing and harvesting rights.

One Mtis elder and leader recently said he would not cut his hair until the province officially recognizes their Indigenous rights and duty to consult.

• Fort McKay Mtis feeling 'forgotten' by Alberta government

Jeffrey O'Donnell, CEO and chair of the ConklinResource Development Advisory Committee,said he also received a phone call fromFeehanafter the incident. He welcomed the apology.

"This is certainly a positive in the light of the circumstances," O'Donnell said. "It is a very good step."

In a press release issued before the provincial government'sapology, O'Donnell said he wished "to denounce in the strongest terms possible the inappropriate and abusive behaviour of Fish and Wildlife officers."

O'Donnell said hewants officers to return the fish that was seized.

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