First Nations concerned about the proposed Trespass to Property Act will not be consulted, as Attorney General Don Morgan says he plans no further talks. He says the legislation will not impact First Nations Rights.

“The legislation or the possibilities we’re contemplating in the Act does not affect a First Nations Rights. The Rights of a land holder or land owner exist regardless of First Nations land claims,” Morgan said. “We certainly want to have the discussions with the FSIN, but there is no intention of further consultation.”

Morgan admits that the FSIN has sent letters to him regarding the Trespass to Property Act and wanting to meet. He says he is committed to meeting with the organization.

The Prince Albert Grand Council recently passed a resolution calling on the provincial government to consult with the PAGC before any changes are made to the Trespass to Property Act.

Athabasca vice-chief Joseph Tsannie says non-Indigenous people have been trespassing on First Nations lands for years and any changes to the Act should not negatively affect traditional hunting and trapping rights.

“People have been trespassing in our territory for I don’t know how many years. Look at all the mine sites, those are traditional lands and those are the resources we agreed to share but it’s not happening. So what do we do?”

The province is currently reviewing the trespass act due to pressure from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities to make rural private property more difficult to access.

(Photo: homedepot.com)