Judge dismisses bid to stop Bloodvein First Nation checkpoint
Posted November 27, 2025 7:11 pm.
Last Updated November 27, 2025 10:21 pm.
A Manitoba judge has dismissed a request to halt Bloodvein First Nation’s roadside check stop, a checkpoint that earlier this fall turned away some licensed hunters heading toward nearby Crown land. Bloodvein leaders say the ruling supports their efforts to safeguard the community and protect a declining moose population.
Earlier this year, Bloodvein First Nation set up the roadside check stop to reduce drugs and alcohol entering the community. During hunting season, some licensed hunters reported they were denied access to a route leading toward Crown land, prompting the Manitoba Wildlife Federation to seek a court order for access. That request was dismissed Thursday.
Justice Theodor Bock ruled that while hunters may be inconvenienced by the check stop, they are not prevented from legally hunting.
“I am deeply relieved and grateful that the justice system has antlered what we long said, the checkpoint is about protecting the safety health and dignity of our people,” said Chief Lisa Young of Bloodvein First Nation.
“It’s a win for hunters as of Monday they can go through their, the Chief put it in writing last night,” said Chris Heald, Senior Policy Advisors, Manitoba Wildlife Federation.
Bloodvein leaders say the decision supports their responsibility to protect the land, the community, and the declining moose population. With hunting season running from Dec. 1 to 14, they plan to escort or shadow licensed hunters in and out of the area to ensure safety and protect cultural sites.
“What they will be guided and shadowed with is to show them where are you going to hunt, we have traditional areas and ceremonial sites, they be welcomed guided and see for themselves there are no camping sites like there are south of our check stop,” said Young.
“Weve been out of court less than 2 hours and we’ve already heard a change in tune that we will be escorting hunters so this can escalate if they don’t live up to their agreement to let hunters through yes we can wind up back in court,” said Heald.
As for the check stop itself, Bloodvein leaders say it is already making a difference, pointing to recent drug seizures. When it comes to hunting, they plan to continue conversations with the province and the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. The federation says that going forward, they want the province to help bring both sides together.
CityNews reached out to the province for comment but did not hear back yet.
