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Some Saskatchewan First Nations say they are exploring the possibility of implementing bylaws to ban conservation officers from their reserve lands.

The move comes after the Saskatchewan government announcement this fall that some conservation officers will be armed with semi-automatic rifles.

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The province says the move is in response to a court decision that determined RCMP officers were not properly equipped when they confronted a shooter in New Brunswick in 2014. Four Mounties were killed in the shooting rampage that followed.

Some First Nation leaders say they are taking the news personally — and are prepared to take a stand.

“The conservation officers that make comments saying, ‘We can go on reserve land if it’s provincial business,’ we say BS to that,” said Bobby Cameron, Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations. “Don’t you dare come on our First Nation land unless you have permission. It’s called respect. And we’re sick and tired of these conservation officers thinking they can do this.”