Although Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt say there's a growing acceptance of the annual deer hunt at Short Hills Provincial Park, protesters who gathered at the park's entrance Tuesday say they are more concerned than ever.

As the seventh annual Haudenosaunee harvest of white-tailed deer began, Elizabeth Chitty from Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt said there has been a shift in public sentiment around Indigenous rights and culture, including an increased understanding of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Chitty said the organization has co-ordinated educational workshops to inform people about the hunt in past years. It is hosting a one-day Indigenous Human Rights Conference Nov. 16 at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts.

As a result of community initiatives, she said people who may have originally opposed the hunt at least have greater understanding of the treaty rights and Indigenous culture and traditions the harvest represents.

"We have seen lots of change on a face-to-face basis," she said.

But Robyn Zavitz, who has led annual protests since they began, said members of the community continue to disagree with the hunt.

Zavitz said about a dozen protesters gathered at the Pelham Road park entrance at about 4:30 a.m., as about 27 vehicles and about 50 hunters arrived for the first day of the hunt, which started weeks earlier than in the past and will continue longer.

The hunt will continue Nov. 14 and 28, Dec. 5 and conclude on Jan. 16. The park is closed to the public when hunts are underway, and reopen at about noon on the following day.

Protesters are concerned the hunt was continuing into January, which they said could lead to the culling of pregnant deer.

Chitty, however, said Supporters of Haudenosaunee Right to Hunt has "great respect" for the hunters.

"We will more likely accept their expertise and knowledge rather than the anti-hunt protesters."

Chitty said the hunt is a right guaranteed under treaties that date back to the 1700s.

Canadians, she added, have a responsibility to honour treaties with First Nations people.

Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1629 | @abenner1

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