Minister: Peter Fleming
Associate Minister: Leah LaPlante

The Manitoba Métis Federation's (MMF) Natural Resources portfolio, housed within the Energy, Infrastructure, and Resource Management Department, is committed to protecting and advancing the Red River Métis Nation's constitutionally protected Section 35 rights and upholding the Métis Laws of the Harvest. Under the leadership of Minister Peter Fleming and Associate Minister Leah LaPlante - both of whom bring extensive experience in harvesting, conservation, and rights advocacy - the portfolio ensures Red River Métis voices are at the forefront of land, water, and resource stewardship.

Guided by the 2025 Mandate Letters and the historic Red River Métis Self-Government Treaty, the portfolio's work includes developing a Nation-led conservation strategy, modernizing the Métis Laws of the Harvest, defending Harvesters against unlawful enforcement, and advancing the recognition of Section 35 rights beyond provincial boundaries. Through strong partnerships with all levels of government, industry, and grassroots leadership, the Natural Resources portfolio supports the sustainable management of our National Homeland, ensuring that the rights, claims, and interests of Red River Métis Citizens are protected for generations to come.

Harvesting

Protecting Red River Métis Harvesting Rights

Despite ongoing efforts by the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) to defend Red River Métis harvesting rights within the Recognized Métis Harvesting Area (RMHA) and RMHA Expansion Areas (GHAs 5, 7, 7A, 17A, 26), the Manitoba government continues to charge Métis Harvesters exercising their constitutionally protected Section 35 rights. These actions disregard both Canada's constitutional protections and the provincial Crown's commitments under the 2012 MMF Manitoba Harvesting Agreement.

To lawfully harvest, Red River Métis Harvesters must follow public safety laws, adhere to the Métis Laws of the Harvest (Revised 3rd Edition), and carry a validated MMF Harvester Card with the current year's Conservation Trust Fund (CTF) sticker. In cases of wrongful charges that infringe on Section 35 rights, Harvesters are encouraged to contact the MMF's Energy, Infrastructure and Resource Management Department. The MMF will review the situation and determine appropriate support, including legal assistance.

Harvesters should note that harvesting in RMHA Expansion Areas and outside the RMHA carries risks, as affirmed by the 2018 MMF Annual General Assembly's unanimous vote to defend Métis harvesting rights in these areas.

New Private Land Permission Requirement

To address issues with verbal permission for harvesting on private property, written permission is now required. Harvesters must obtain a signed permission slip from landowners, which protects both parties and supports the Harvester's rights if questioned by Conservation Officers. Verbal permission alone is no longer accepted. Permission slips are available at the MMF Home Office, Regional Offices, and online at /harvesters.

Annual Harvester Card Validation & Survey

Red River Métis Harvesters must validate their Métis Harvester Card annually by purchasing the current year's CTF sticker after April 1. Before receiving the new sticker and big-game tags, Harvesters must complete the mandatory MMF Harvesting Survey. This survey helps the MMF manage resources, monitor harvesting activity, and strengthen conservation efforts across Manitoba.

To streamline this process, the MMF has launched an online Harvester Portal, making it easier to complete the survey and obtain required stickers and tags, improving overall harvesting reporting and resource management

Moose Conservation Harvesting Initiative

Your Red River Métis Government has reopened limited moose harvesting opportunities in the Porcupine Mountains (GHAs 13 and 13A) and Duck Mountain (GHAs 18, 18A, 18B, and 18C) through the Moose Conservation Harvesting Initiative. This initiative was developed using a conservation-first approach, grounded in provincial population survey data and informed by ongoing wildlife management discussions with the Manitoba government. Now entering its fifth season, the initiative has resulted in successful, sustainable harvests each year, demonstrating the effectiveness of Red River Métis-led stewardship. For updates and details on the 2025 season, follow MMF social media channels and official announcements.

Caribou

The MMF has taken part in the National Boreal Caribou Knowledge Consortium (NBCKC) since its beginnings in 2018. The NBCKC brings together a number of participants with knowledge relating to and experience working with boreal caribou, including federal and provincial governments, academic institutions, industry, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous governments and representatives. The NBCKC has developed working groups in which the MMF has been actively involved, including the Indigenous Knowledge Circle, the Monitoring Working Group, the Habitat Restoration Working Group, and the Chronic Wasting Disease Knowledge Network. The NBCKC provided the opportunity to learn about caribou conservation projects across the country, to explore partnerships, and ensure that the voices, concerns, and views of Red River Métis Citizens and Harvesters are included in caribou conservation work. The MMF has determined through yearly Caribou Workshops in northern Manitoba that there is a concern for diminishing caribou populations across the province as well as a need for support for immediate conservation efforts to ensure species survival.

In the winter of 2020, in response to growing concerns, the MMF launched Project Caribou - a caribou monitoring and research initiative. This project uses motion-activated monitoring cameras installed across critical caribou wintering habitat in northern Manitoba to gather data on population and migration patterns. Additional information about the Project Caribou can be found in the Thompson Region IPCA section below.

Species at Risk

Species at Risk (SAR) are those species identified as facing significant threats of extinction, requiring dedicated protection and recovery efforts to ensure their long-term survival. The MMF actively participates in SAR protection through ongoing consultation and collaborative monitoring with Red River Métis Citizens.

The conservation of SAR holds particular significance for the Red River Métis Nation, as these species contribute to sustainable harvesting practices, ecosystem integrity, and biodiversity within our National Homeland.

For detailed information on species designated as at risk under federal and provincial legislation, please visit:

• Schedule 1 of the Species At Risk Act (SARA)
• The Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act (Manitoba)

The MMF works in close partnership with federal agencies under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to support species recovery and prevent extinctions. The integration of Red River Métis traditional knowledge and perspectives is critical to the assessment and management of SAR across the National Homeland, ensuring that conservation strategies reflect Métis stewardship principles and cultural values. [PC1]

Chimney Swifts

The MMF has been actively monitoring the Chimney Swift, a species at risk that has experienced significant habitat loss. Historically, Chimney Swifts nested in large hollow trees, but as these natural habitats declined, they adapted to nesting in chimneys. During the recent redevelopment of an MMF-acquired building, efforts were made to protect this important habitat. As part of this initiative, the MMF constructed a free-standing artificial Chimney Swift tower, specifically designed to support breeding and roosting beginning in spring 2025. The tower has already proven successful, housing two nesting pairs and their young.

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Parks Canada

The MMF has been working closely with Parks Canada on various Parks Canada administered sites, parks, and projects to ensure that the rights, interests, and concerns of Red River Métis Citizens are effectively represented. The MMF continues to build strong relationships with six established Parks Canada sites in Manitoba, including the Riel House National Historic Site and the Battle of Seven Oaks National Historic Site.

This partnership extends to advocating for Red River Métis inclusion in the establishment of five proposed protected areas and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), including the Seal River Watershed. Additionally, the MMF has successfully negotiated access for Red River Métis Citizens through the Open-Door Program at National Parks including Riding Mountain National Park and is a key partner in the proposed National Urban Park in Winnipeg. As part of its ongoing advocacy, the MMF is committed to ensuring the proper representation of Red River Métis identity, including the respectful use of Red River Métis language on signage and throughout these important sites. Efforts are also underway to revise the current Open-Door Program to extend beyond the provincial boundaries of Manitoba and include all National Parks across the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)

The MMF is establishing two Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCAs) within the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. These areas will protect and preserve lands, waters, and resources for future generations. An IPCA is an area where Indigenous Nations lead conservation, protection, and care, using their own laws, knowledge, and values, creating traditional economies to benefit future generations. For the Government of Canada, IPCAs are a tool to achieve their goal to protect 25% of lands and waters by 2025 and 30% by 2030.

Thompson Region IPCA

The Thompson Region is home to three important Designatable Units (DUs) of caribou: Boreal Woodland Caribou (DU6), Barren-ground Caribou (DU3), and Eastern Migratory Caribou (DU4). Caribou are both ecologically and culturally significant to the Red River Métis, requiring protection to ensure their survival for future generations. Boreal Woodland Caribou are currently listed as "Threatened" under both Manitoba's Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act and Canada's Species at Risk Act.

The MMF, in partnership with others, is committed to acting as stewards of this region in a manner consistent with the historical and ongoing shared use of the land. Indigenous Knowledge, governance, and laws will guide the development, management, and monitoring of the IPCA.

With support from Parks Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada, the MMF has assisted in the installation of trail cameras in Wapusk National Park. Parks Canada deployed cameras along the core summer range of the Cape Churchill Caribou (DU4), while the MMF installed cameras within key caribou wintering habitat. This wintering area is known to support all three caribou DUs found in Manitoba, including the Boreal Woodland Caribou.

This passive monitoring network provides a broader picture of caribou movements between their wintering and summering grounds, as well as the challenges they may face in both seasonal habitats. By capturing data on presence, group size, and migration timing, this work strengthens our understanding of caribou behavior and informs future conservation efforts. The establishment of this IPCA will help protect the essential corridor between these seasonal ranges and ensure the continued survival of Manitoba's caribou populations.

Kettle Hills Blueberry Patch IPCA

The Kettle Hills Blueberry Patch IPCA is an MMF proposed conservation area in the National Homeland of the Red River Métis, situated along the west shore of Lake Winnipegosis. Known as the Red River Métis Breadbasket, the region has long supported moose populations, abundant blueberry patches, and a wide range of wildlife, including migratory birds and culturally significant plant species. Following reports from Red River Métis Citizens of declining moose numbers and changes to blueberry productivity, the MMF prioritized the area for protection, including key landscapes like the Swan-Pelican Provincial Forest, Pelican Lake Area of Special Interest, and Swan Pelican Wildlife Refuge.

Since 2021, the MMF has led on-the-ground monitoring in the Kettle Hills region using a combination of Red River Métis Traditional Knowledge and scientific methods. These activities are supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada, Nature United, the Northern Manitoba Food, Culture, and Community Collaborative, and Wildlife Habitat Canada. Monitoring work to date has included annual vegetation quadrat surveys to track blueberry regeneration and competition with other species in both healthy and wildfire-impacted sites. Bird populations have been studied using Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) and visual habitat assessments to assess species presence and habitat conditions. Moose populations have been monitored through trail cameras and habitat surveys. The MMF has also mapped carbon storage in wetlands, forests, and peatlands to identify climate mitigation opportunities and inform conservation priorities.

Make Our Homeland Green Again - MMF's Tree Planting Initiative

The Manitoba Métis Federation has committed to planting two million trees across the National Homeland of the Red River Métis through a new tree planting initiative titled "Make Our Homeland Green Again." This commitment came directly from the Government of Canada's announcement in September 2019 to plant two billion trees across the country by 2031.

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This initiative seeks to provide Red River Métis Citizens with native trees and shrubs to plant on their private property through a multi-streamed approach. To better meet the unique needs and goals of Red River Métis Citizens living throughout the National Homeland, there are five main focuses of trees and shrubs provided through the program:

Citizen Yard Improvement Stream - For general site plantings through the installation of native trees and shrubs on Red River Métis landowner's property, to increase aesthetic appeal, amount of onsite greenery, and improvements to the landscape.

Edible Forest Stream - Increased plantings of fruit-bearing trees and shrubs to bolster fruit production, strengthen food security, and create stronger more resilient communities.

Shelterbelt Stream - A focus on improving the environment that will utilize tree species to provide natural windbreaks within communities and on Red River Métis Citizens' private land.

Wildlife Habitat Enhancement & Restoration Stream - To improve the environment through the enhancement (further improving the quality and value of) or restoration (returning to its natural state) of wildlife habitat areas.

Riparian Area Revegetation Stream - To improve the environment by establishing riparian plants along water bodies and waterways to reduce soil erosion, support aquatic species, and mitigate runoff.

Your Red River Métis Government recognizes that not everyone is physically able to plant their trees. For elders and those with medical disabilities, please check the box under the accessibility section in the application if you require assistance with planting trees and shrubs. Onsite support is available.

The "Make Our Homeland Green Again" Tree Planting Initiative has been ongoing since 2021's official pilot and has continuously grown and expanded its efforts to provide trees and shrubs to Red River Métis Citizens.

During 2022 5,381 trees and shrubs were planted, during year 2023 18,499 trees and shrubs were planted, year 2024 17,242 trees and shrubs were planted.

If you are interested in receiving trees or have questions regarding the Tree Planting Initiative, please email: trees@mmf.mb.ca for more information.

• Tree Planting Initiative Application Form 2025
• Tree and Shrub List 2025

Powley Program

Since 2019, the MMF and the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) have partnered to monitor migratory game bird harvests by Red River Métis harvesters. This collaboration contributes valuable data to the Canadian National Harvest Survey, supporting accurate reporting and sustainable management.

Through the Powley Program and the mandatory harvesting survey, the MMF continues to identify knowledge holders, monitor harvesting activity, and share data to guide conservation efforts. The partnership will also support future mentored harvesting workshops, helping non-harvesters learn traditional practices and connect with the land.

Red River Métis Leadership in Environmental Policy

Supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada's Climate Action and Awareness Fund, the MMF is working to ensure Red River Métis knowledge, science, and perspectives are meaningfully reflected in national and international decision-making processes on climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.

Through this initiative, the MMF is contributing to three key environmental science-policy platforms: the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which assesses global climate science to inform policy on emissions reduction and climate adaptation; the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which connects science and policy to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; and Canada's Changing Climate Report (CCCR), which provides a national overview of climate trends to guide adaptation and planning across regions.

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Lands

Minister: David Chartrand
Associate Minister: Denise Thomas

Additions to Reserve and Treaty Land Entitlement

The Manitoba Framework Agreement provides for land transfers to Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) First Nations as Additions to Reserves (ATR). The MMF has raised concerns that the agreement does not adequately address the Crown's duty to consult with the Red River Métis. To ensure Red River Métis rights, claims, and interests are meaningfully consulted, the MMF is working with the federal government to explore a bilateral approach under the Manitoba Framework Agreement to guide federal consultations on ATRs.

Manitoba Crown Land Consultations

Manitoba's Lands and Planning Branch, operating under the Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Department, is accountable for the management of thousands of square kilometers of provincial Crown lands. This includes establishing policy, planning, setting fees, reviewing and approving or denying applications, and specifying conditions for sale, lease, permit, or other dispositions. The Government of Manitoba has a duty to consult with the MMF when decisions on Crown Land may impact Red River Métis section 35 rights. In recognition of this duty, Manitoba has initiated consultations with the MMF on an ongoing basis in accordance with the MMF's Resolution No. 8 Framework, as new Crown land applications are submitted for review.

Federal Land Disposals and Divestitures

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is responsible for disposing and divesting surplus federally owned lands that are no longer necessary for Crown purposes. The MMF and PSPC engage in a priority circulation process where PSPC identifies and notifies the MMF of federal land to be disposed or divested in the near future. Notifications of newly identified disposals and divestitures are communicated through monthly updates between PSPC and the MMF.

South of 60 Settlement Agreements

The 1993 Nunavut Agreement left an outstanding Inuit claim to lands and natural resources in northern Manitoba, which remains unresolved. To address this, Manitoba is involved in four draft agreements-collectively known as the South of 60 Settlement Agreements-including the Kivahiktuq Agreement, Lands and Protected Area Agreement, Northern Manitoba Resource Management Agreement, and the Agreement on Consultation Matters Outside the Kivahiktuq Settlement Area.

In 2024, Manitoba initiated a Crown consultation with the MMF on these agreements. The MMF is committed to ensuring that Red River Métis rights, claims, and interests are meaningfully consulted throughout this process.