Press Releases

AMC: FIRST NATIONS NEED POLICE PROTECTION, NOT SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba — September 27, 2026 — Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson is calling on Premier Wab Kinew to address the conservation and community safety concerns raised by Bloodvein River First Nation, following his comments about the Nation’s checkpoint and calls from the Manitoba Wildlife Federation for RCMP intervention.

“First Nations have long called for effective policing and support for enforcing the laws that protect our citizens,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “When that protection falls short, Chiefs and Councils are left to find ways to keep their people safe. It is deeply troubling to see calls for police action against a First Nation while the concerns that led it to act remain unresolved.”

Premier Kinew has stated that Manitoba issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bloodvein on September 19 and shared it with the RCMP two days later. The Manitoba Wildlife Federation has separately called for RCMP enforcement action.

“This raises a fundamental question about whose safety and whose laws receive attention,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “First Nations should be able to count on police support when our citizens are at risk. We should not have to struggle to secure that protection, only to face demands for enforcement when our leadership takes action to protect our people and the resources we depend on.”

Grand Chief Wilson also rejected the Premier’s suggestion that Bloodvein’s actions would provoke a hateful reaction.

“If the Premier is concerned that First Nations people could face hatred or violence, his response should be to condemn that hatred and insist on their protection,” she said. “Responsibility for racism rests with those who engage in it. It must never be shifted onto a First Nation because others disagree with its decisions.”

Bloodvein has identified moose conservation, food security and community safety as concerns underlying its actions. Grand Chief Wilson said those concerns require direct engagement with the Nation’s leadership.

“Bloodvein is a First Nation with laws, leadership, citizens and responsibilities. Its concerns cannot be reduced to an inconvenience for hunters. Questions about conservation, access, Treaty rights and jurisdiction require serious discussion with the Nation.”

Grand Chief Wilson said the Premier’s approach is particularly disappointing given the expectations accompanying his leadership.

“As a First Nations Premier, Wab Kinew knows the history of governments using police to impose decisions on our people. We expect him to bring that understanding to this dispute and demonstrate a different approach. One grounded in respect for First Nations leadership and a commitment to resolving the underlying concerns.”

The AMC has called on Manitoba to meet directly with Bloodvein River First Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation and Pimicikamak Cree Nation, share the information supporting its moose-hunting decisions, and establish a respectful process with each Nation to address its distinct concerns.

“Manitoba must work with these Nations on conservation and community safety,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “A cease-and-desist letter does not resolve those issues. Nor can police enforcement substitute for the work governments must do to address Treaty rights and First Nations authority.”

The AMC will continue to stand with Bloodvein, Misipawistik and Pimicikamak as they work to protect moose and safeguard their Nations for future generations.

“Our people deserve safety, our laws deserve respect, and our leadership deserves meaningful engagement,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “Reconciliation requires governments to support First Nations in protecting their people and sustaining their lands, not leave them to carry those responsibilities alone and then challenge them for acting.”

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For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com

About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs:

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs was created in 1988 by First Nations in Manitoba to coordinate political action and technical work on common issues. Through the Chiefs-in-Assembly, AMC works collectively to promote, preserve, and protect First Nations and Treaty rights, strengthen First Nations cultures, traditions, languages, economies and societies, and advance self-determination and self-government. AMC represents 63 First Nations in Manitoba and the diverse Anishinaabe, Nehetho/Ininew, Anisininew, Denesuline, and Dakota Oyate peoples.