Hunting checkpoint at Manitoba First Nation still causing concerns
Posted October 6, 2026 6:26 pm.
Tensions continue to rise over a hunting checkpoint at in Bloodvein First Nation. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation is claiming more and more hunters have been facing issues at the checkpoint last week, and despite the premier speaking out against the First Nation’s tactics back in September, it seems that a resolution isn’t coming any time soon
“We’ve heard of a hunter being illegally detained at the check stop and then being released since. We heard of 10 hunters being turned away, then some did manage to get through. We had one hunter that camped out there until the Chief allowed him through,” said Chris Heald, with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation.
RCMP told CityNews they have no record or report of a person being illegally detained. But Heald says his organization has reached its wits end with the check stop especially after the premier spoke out against it last month.
“This is not the way to do it,” said Premier Wab Kinew on Sept. 25. “If your causing division between Indigenous and non-Indigenous and lot letting non-Indigenous people participate in the sharing of the land, that’s not right either, and that’s going to lead to backlash, and that’s going to lead to hatred, and it’s not going to be you at the check stop who’s paying the price, it’s going to be some kid on the playground.”
The province says they have been in contact with the First Nation as of this past Monday to reiterate the premier’s stance, and say talks are ongoing.
“It’s the province that’s in change of public lands and the public resources and managing them, it’s not the first nation’s job. Yes if there was concerns about low populations, the MWF would be the first group calling for a complete closure and no hunting,” said Heald.
Joel Bruger, an avid hunter, said, “If someone’s coming into my areas where I’m trying to manage my animals and feed my family, I’d probably have a different front of it.”
Bruger, who feeds his family exclusively with game meat, says he see’s where Bloodvein is coming from, because he too has concerns about moose numbers.
“Conservation, the MWF, everybody’s numbers are different right now with what there is for the moose population, and just in the province in general like we’re struggling with populations,” said Bruger. “I understand both perspectives, because as a hunter, I want to be in there, I want to gather that meat from my family, I want to take it from the land like they do as well.”
Both the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and Bloodvein Chief Lisa Young did not respond to interview requests.
“There’s ways of sitting down and coming to a resolution, this isn’t it,” said Heald.
