Manitoba Métis Federation

Harvester Cards
 
Interim Métis Laws Of The Harvest
Guide to Métis Harvesting Rights
Commission Of The Métis Laws of the Hunt
Frequently Asked Questions: Obtaining A Harvester Card
Frequently Asked Questions: Using Harvester Cards

FAQ: Obtaining a Harvester Card

Q: How do I obtain a Harvester Card?

A: To obtain a harvester card you must be a resident in Métis resident of Manitoba and provide the following;

(1) Geneology (if you had already provided one then you don't need to provide another)
*Note: information on attaining a geneology is address in another question*

(2) Long-Form Birth Certificate OR Baptism Certificate (if you had already provided one then you don't need to provide another)
*Note: information on attaining a Long-Form Birth Certificate & Baptism Certificate is addressed in another question*

(3) Government Recognized I.D. (e.g. Drivers License)


Q: What are the fees associated with attaining membership?

A: We don't have exact numbers but these are prices you can expect to pay when attaining membership.

$20.00 (minimum) for a Geneology (can go as high as $150.00 depending on how far you go back)
$25.00 for a Long-Form Birth Certificate
$10.00 for a Baptism Certificate
$10.00 for a harvester card (applies to new card holders only & covers cost of manufacturing the card)
$25.00 for the Métis Conservation Trust Fund

Q: Where can I obtain a Geneology?

A: You can obtain a long-form birth certificate from Vital Statistics.  You can apply..

IN PERSON
Counter service is available at our location at 254 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. The building is located at the SW corner of Portage Avenue and Garry Street. The Agency is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Available payment methods are cash, cheque, money order, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Please note personal cheques, unless certified, will NOT be accepted for 24 hour RUSH service.

BY MAIL
Download an application form and mail it to:
Vital Statistics Agency, 254 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3C 0B6
Available payment methods are cheque, money order, Visa or MasterCard.
Please note personal cheques, unless certified, will NOT be accepted for 24 hour RUSH service

BY FAX
Download an application form and fax it to (204) 948-3128.
Available payment methods are Visa or MasterCard.Click here to print off a copy of the birth certificate request form


Q: Where can I obtain a Baptism Certificate?

A: You can obtain a Baptism Certificate from your local church.  The cost varies from church to church but it should cost you around $10.00.

Q: What is the Métis Conservation Trust Fund?

A: The Métis Conservation Trust Fund was created through our consultations.  Its goal is to raise and distribute funds to be used for local and regional Métis-directed conservation initiatives and to support and safeguard our s. 35 rights.  A contribution of $25.00 to the trust fund is done on an annual basis.  With the $25.00 you will receive a sticker validating your Harvester Identification Card.

FAQ: Usage of your Harvester Card

Q: When Can I Hunt?

A: In praciting our Métis Right, it is reasonable to use common sense Métis traditional rules that respect fish and wildlife's ability to reproduce.  When deciding when to go hunting, please refer to the Interim Métis Laws of the harvest, 2nd Edition for the Métis made rules and guidelines.

Q: Where Can I Hunt?

A: You can hunt in our traditional hunting territory.  This means the area that Manitoba Métis Community has traditionally used to sustain ourselves.  You can hunt on our Métis traditional hunting grounds that include unoccupied Crown land ("Government Land") and, with written permission, on occupied Crown land, private land or Indian Reserves.

Q: Does my card need to be renewed?

A: Yes.  Your card must be renewed once a year.  You will be required to pay $25.00 every year into the Métis Conservation Trust Fund.  Once you have paid this $25.00, you will receive a new sticker that validates your harvester card for another year.  Cards must be revalidated before July 15 of that year to be considered valid.

Q: Are there any Limits to my Métis Right to Hunt, Fish, Trap, or Gather Food?

A: Yes.  conversation, health, public safety and the Manitoba Métis Community's Interim Métis Laws of the Harvest are limitations to our Métis Right.

Q: Are our Rights the Same as First Nation's Rights?

A: The Manitoba Métis Community has a Métis Right to harvest for food.  Our Métis Right is equal to the Rights of First Nations.  Both Métis and First Nations receive a priority resource allocation.  Our Rights are not second-hand or second-rate Rights.  Ther eis no hierarchy of Aboriginal Rights within the Canadian Constitution.  Our Rights are based on the Métis as being a distinct People with a distinct collective identity prior to Canada becoming a country.  Our Rights are Métis Rights.

Q: How does the Métis Harvester Identification Card work?

A: When a Métis is registered as a Métis Harvester and receives the Métis Harvester Identification Card, he or she must meet all the mandatory safety requirements set out by the province for the activity.  The harvetser must also agree to follow the seasons, limits and reporting determined by the Interim Métis Laws of the Harvest and contribute $25 each yera toward the Conservation Trust Fund.

Q: What was the Manitoba government's response to the Métis Harvester Initiative?

A: Their response has been the continued charging of registered Métis harvesters.

Q: Wouldn't the Métis Harvester Initiative potentially mean more harvesters-which could upset the environmental balance?

A: That is a misguided notion.  The Métis Harvester Initiative itself represents our commitment to responsible harvesting and conservation.  Our very traditions and culture are rooted in respect for our natural resources.  If we are to be true to ourselves as Métis people, we will remain true to that conservationist spirit.

To date, about 1,000 Métis Harvester Identification Cards were issued.  Compare that to nearly 260,000 hunting licenses the Manitoba government issued for big game, fish, and fowl last year.  Those number speak volumes.

Q: Will being charged under the Manitoba Wildlife Act prevent me from entering the United States of America or applying for work?

A: No.  According to an opinion by legal counsel, being charged under the Manitob aWildlife Act is an offence, but it is not a "crime".  The charge that you could receive from a Manitoba Conservation Officer is referred to as a Summary Offence, which is comparable to receiving a parking ticket.  This offence is not considered a "crime" and will nto affect you rability to apply for work where a Criminal Records check is required.

Q: Does the Harvester Identification Card allow me to hunt while using an unregistered firearm?

A: No.  Offences involving a Firearm are governed by the Criminal Code of Canada and are considered more serious offences.  Please adhere to all laws outline in the Firearms Act, ensure your firearm is registered and appropriate steps are taken for transfer and storage of your Firearm.  Failure to ocmply with the regulations within the Firearms Act can affect travel to the United States and Employment Opportunities if convicted.

Q: If Manitoba Conservation stops me from harvesting will I be charged under the Manitoba Wildlife Act?

A: Possibly.  Although the Province of Manitoba currently doe snot recognize Métis harvesting rights, it is at the discretion of the Officer who approaches you.  If you are abiding by all Métis and Provincial laws, but do not possess a Province of Manitoba Hunting License or Tags, the officer may still charge you under the Manitoba Wildlife Act.  When dealing with a Manitoba Conservation Officer always be professional, respectful, identify yourself as a Métis Harvester harvesting for food and present your valid Harvester Identification Card.  In the event that you are charged contact the local MMF.

Q: If I am stopped while harvesting by Manitoba Conservation Officers, will the Harvester Identification Card prevent them from seizing my game and firearm?

A: Maybe.  The Conservation Officers have the discretion to charge or to seize.  S. 71 of the Manitoba Wildlife Act gives the officers the authority to seize firearms, harvested game and in some instances vehicles as well.  However, it is extremely rare that a Conservation Officer would seize your vehicle.  At present the card offers no shield from seizure powers of Manitoba Conservation Officers.  Currently, the Goodon case is before th courts and a decision may chang ethe government's current position.

Q: If my game or firearms is seized or if I am charged udner the Manitoba Wildlife Act, or both, is the Manitoba Métis Federation able to help me?

A: Yes!  As long as you have a valid Harvester Identification Card, are obeying the Interim Métis Laws of the Harvest and your charges are not related to firearms, safety or health offences, the Manitoba Métis Federation will protect the rights of the citizens of the Métis Nation and will advocate for you and provide the appropriate support on your behalf.

Q: If the Métis Interim Laws of the Harvest says that I am allowed to have 50 lbs of fish is there a daily limit?

A: No.  It is 50 lbs total for all fish in your posession, including your freezer.

Q: Can I fish 50 lbs total for each species of fish (i.e. Walleye, perch, nothern pike)?

A: No.  It is 50 lbs total fish of all species that you have in posession, not 50 lbs per species.

Q: Does my Manitoba Métis Federation Harvester Identification Card let me travel outside of the province for harvesting?

A: No.  At the moment your card applies within the province of Manitoba.  The other Métis Nation governing members have their own registry process and harvesting laws within each respective province.  If you currently hold a Harvester Identification Card in Manitoba and are planning on moving, contact the destination province's Métis Self-Government.

Q: Does my Harvester Identification Crd allow me to fish with a net?

A: Based on Interim Laws of the harvest you are permitted to harvest fish for food within a 50 lb possession limit.  That being said you may use a net but you risk bringin in mor ethan 50 lbs, which contravenes the Métis Interim Métis Laws of the Harvest.  Currently, based on surveys and consultations, the MMF is developing guidelines regarding this and other harvesting practices.

Q: If my son or daughter is under the age of 16 do they need a Harvester Identification Card to hunt?

A: No.  Métis youths under the age of 16 will be allowed to harvest without a Harvester ID card, provided that a Métis Adult who has a Métis Harvester Identification Card accompanies them.

Q: My son or daughter is under the age of 18, can they still apply for a harvester ID card even thought hey are unable to receive a Manitoba Métis Federation Membership Card?

A: Yes.  Métis youth of any age may apply for the Harvester Identificatio nCard.  That being said, they must have all the required training and certificates necessary under health and safety laws, including those for firearms, boats, and automobiles.

Q: Do we need to use management tags when we are harvesting big game for food?

A: Yes.  for any big game hunting you will need to use Manitoba Métis Federation big game management tags.  These tags are free of charge and are for wildlife management recording purposes.  These tags are not licenses.  This will enable the Métis to track all big gmae hutned throughout th eseason.  You may get the big game tags from your Regional Office or Home Office.  Using the big game tags are an integral part of our Métis Harvesting Initiative.

For more information please contact Deneka McLeod
Phone #: 204-623-5701 ext. 2225
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Fax #: 204-623-2825