neighbourhood information session
TRANSCRIPT
NEIGHBOURHOOD INFORMATION SESSION
Relocation of January 2014 Deer Harvest in the Dundas Valley
Wednesday 4th December, 2013
HCA’s Main Office
• Deer harvesting has been a long standing tradition of the Haudenosaunee
dating back thousands of years and serves an important role to their spiritual
and ceremonial way of life. First Nations throughout North America have long
cited treaties 1 that grant them rights to hunt and fish in areas outside of
reserve lands. 2 These treaties are also honoured by the Constitution of
Canada.
• In the Dundas Valley Conservation Area (DVCA), the Nanfan Treaty of 1701
or the Treaty of Albany (see map on right), gives the Haudenosaunee the right
to hunt and fish in this area. The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA)
recognizes the importance and validity of the Nanfan Treaty 2 and also
respects the important cultural role that deer harvesting plays in the
Haudenosaunee’s way of life.
• In 2011, the HCA’s Board of Directors authorized entering into an agreement
with the Haudenosaunee Wildlife and Habitat Authority (HWHA) to establish a
protocol regarding deer harvesting on HCA owned lands. An agreement was
made and continues to be in effect, allowing the HWHA to harvest a set
number of deer in designated parts of the DVCA.
• This protocol reflects the HCA’s commitment to the implementation of Treaty
rights in a way that respects conservation, protects public safety, and fosters
our mutual respect, trust, and friendship. It also serves as a step forward in
strengthening our understanding and relations with First Nations in our
country.
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
BACKGROUND
Purpose of this PIC
The purpose of this Neighbourhood Information Session (NIS) is to inform the public of the relocation of
the January deer harvest to an area in the north of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. At the NIS, The
HCA will provide information to adjacent property owners about the relocation, obtain feedback, while at
the same time address questions and concerns that the public may have.
Ontario Michigan
UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA
CANADA
New York
Ohio Illinois
Indiana
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin
Kentucky
West Virginia
1http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte
text/ap_htmc_treatliv_1314921040169_eng.pdf
2 http://www.sixnations.ca/LandsResources/PreConfederation.pdf
3 http://www.sixnations.ca/LandsResources/NanFanTreaty.pdf
Deer Harvesting and the Haudenosaunee
• The Haudenosaunee Confederacy also known as the Iroquois
Confederacy, means ‘people of the long house’ (see photo below left).
This confederacy is made up 5 (now 6) nations of the Mohawk,
Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora and is the
largest First Nation in Canada. 4
• The Haudenosaunee, follow a cycle of ceremonies that define the
spiritual foundation of their people. Their spirituality dwells on a duty
and responsibility to be thankful to the natural world around them that
provides health and well-being.
• Unlike a deer cull that is geared towards a mass removal of large
numbers of deer from an area, the Haudenosaunee undertake a deer
harvest where a limited number of deer are taken from designated
areas as a cultural and spiritual practice.
Protocol between the HCA and the Haudenosaunee
• The Haudenosaunee and the Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) share similar values to protect, maintain,
and restore the natural environment for future generations while at the same time respecting the laws of each
nation 5
• In 1701, the Haudenosaunee and the Crown made a treaty at Albany that provided that the Crown would
respect Haudenosaunee rights in the Beaver Hunting Ground, which includes the lands now held by the HCA
• Specific annual agreements will provide descriptions of areas affected, identification of hunting methods,
harvesting dates, objectives for harvesting, monitoring for diseases, reporting and evaluation
• Haudenosaunee will conduct harvesting pursuant to the protocol more than 150 metres away from the border of
the harvesting area
• Harvesting will take place in the day time, within the designated area, and only on HCA owned lands
• Public safety is a high priority for both the HCA and the Haudenosaunee
• Collaboration with the Hamilton Police Services, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources among other parties
• In the instance that the HCA becomes aware of any violations to the protocol, the Haudenosaunee would take
necessary steps to address them
4 http://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/index2.html
5 http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/images/documents/pdf/dmac/HCA%20Protocol%20Document%20Nov%202011.pdf
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
DEER HARVESTING IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
Specific Agreement for 2013-2014 Season
• Deer harvesting by the Haudenosaunee will be part of a broader and continuing
collaborative assessment of the health of the deer herd and the Valley’s ecosystem
• This agreement, like the Protocol is based on respect, trust, friendship, reciprocity, and
collaboration 6
• Harvesting will take place within the relocated area or Schedule B (see map on right)
between January 7th to January 16th , 2014 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday, and
Thursdays only
• Haudenosaunee hunters will use the safest means possible to take deer such as archery
equipment, including bows and crossbows
• Firearms-rifles or shotguns along with other methods such as dogs, feed bait, or jack
lighting will not be used
• The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) will use the ‘Conservation & Trail Closure
Protocol’ as approved by its Board of Directors in 2011 as a basis to inform the public about
harvesting activities pursuant to this agreement 7
• Adjacent residents have been sent letters and an invitation to this information session
Location of January Harvesting Area- Schedule B
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
RELOCATION OF THE JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST
Why is the relocation occurring?
In an attempt to improve public safety and minimize interactions between harvesting activities
and conservation area users, the January portion of the annual harvest is being relocated to
an area in the north of the Dundas Valley Conservation Area as there is no trail system or
public access. Schedule B area covers approximately 123 acres of HCA owned land with a
164 ft. buffer zone marked off on all sides where there are adjacent private properties. The
north facing side of Schedule B does not have any private properties. It should be noted that
there is an estimated 66 ft. distance between the railway and Schedule B. Deer harvesting will
occur in Schedule B for 8 days during the month of January only.
6 http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/images/documents/pdf/dmac/Specific_Agreement_2013.pdf
7http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/images/documents/pdf/dmac/2013_Letter_to_Resident_-
Closure_of_North_End_Dundas_Valley.pdf
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
WHY IS A DEER HARVEST TAKING PLACE IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY?
Historical & Cultural Significance
Haudenosaunee people have a great respect for animals.
To them, deer is important to their spiritual and ceremonial
way of life. Deer antlers are attached to the sides of a
chief’s Kastoweh (feathered hat) as a symbol of peace and
leadership. The deer also provides food (venison), furs and
skins for making clothing and blankets, bones for making
tools, and sinew for making rope. The deer and all animals
are considered to be part of the web of life and are
important in making sure that life as they know it can
continue.
Legal Significance
• Royal Proclamation of 1763- recognizes First Nations as
owners of the lands that the Europeans were using and
occupying, and sets out hunting and fishing rights. 8
• The Constitution Act, 1982- the Government of Canada
patriated the Constitution, and in doing so formally entrenched
treaty rights in the supreme law of Canada. Section 35 of the
Constitution Act, 1982 9 provides:
“35 (1) The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the
aboriginal people in Canada are hereby recognized and
affirmed
(2) In this Act, “Aboriginal Peoples of Canada” includes the
Indian, Inuit, and Metis Peoples of Canada
(3) For greater certainty, in subsection (1), “treaty
rights” includes rights that now exist by way of land
claims agreements or may be so acquired”
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act, the
aboriginal and treaty rights referred to in subsection (1) are
guaranteed equally to male and female persons”
• Nanfan Treaty 1701 or Treaty of Albany- gives the
Haudenosaunee the right to hunt and fish in this area. The HCA
recognizes the importance and validity of the Treaty and has
neither the authority nor jurisdictions to deny these rights.
8http://www.aadncaandc.gc.ca/eng/1370355181092/1370355203645
9 http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-16.html#h-52
Environmental Significance
The Haudenosaunee and the Hamilton Conservation Authority
(HCA) share a mutual vision to maintain a healthy ecosystem
in the Dundas Valley by studying the impact of the Valley’s
deer population on the natural environment is a current and
continuing project by the HCA. Using a number of monitoring
methods to collect data, the impact of deer on the Valley would
be better understood in the long-term. In future, the HCA
hopes to work with the Haudenosaunee to combine our
western scientific knowledge with their Traditional Ecological
Knowledge (TEK) i.e. Haudenosaunee traditional
knowledge regarding sustainability of local resources handed
down through generations. TEK contains knowledge of species
of both animals and plants, and biophysical characteristics of
the environment through space and time.
Social Significance
In 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs recognized
the validity of the Nanfan Treaty and encouraged the HCA to
continue working with the Haudenosaunee (see letter above).
This relationship reflects the HCA’s commitment to the
implementation of their rights in a way that respects
conservation, protects public safety, and fosters our mutual
respect, trust, and friendship. More importantly, this is a step
forward in Ontario and Canada, towards strengthening our
relations with First Nations.
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How to participate:
1) Give us your feedback by
filling out a comment sheet either here or online at:
http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/haudenosaunee-
and-hca-set-dates-for-2013-harvest
2) Contact the HCA for more information:
Anuja Ramgoolam, Project Coordinator
Hamilton Conservation Authority
838 Mineral Springs Road, Box 81067
Ancaster (Hamilton), Ontario L9G 4X1
905-525-2181 ext. 172 or 157
4) Tell your neighbours about the relocation of the
deer harvest and how they could get more
information:
http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/haudenosaunee-
and-hca-set-dates-for-2013-harvest
1) Why is there hunting occurring in the Dundas Valley?
In the Dundas Valley, there are a number of private (non-HCA owned) lands and public (HCA-owned lands). Hunting is permitted on
private lands under regular Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) hunting guidelines.
2) Is hunting allowed in a conservation area? There are signs saying no hunting is permitted in the Dundas Valley.
The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) currently allows hunting in the Beverly Swamp only. Under normal circumstances, anyone
seen hunting on HCA owned lands will be reported to the OMNR as the HCA has a no hunting policy.
3) How is it that the Haudenosaunee (First Nation hunters) are the only ones allowed to hunt and non-First Nation hunters
cannot?
The Haudenosaunee according to the Nanfan Treaty have the right to exercise their legal hunting and fishing rights in this area. More
importantly, the Constitution of Canada recognizes this and has advised the HCA to do the same. HCA does not have the
authorization to deny these rights.
4) Why are the trails being closed off if this is public land?
The main reason trails are being temporarily closed is in the interest of public safety. Under the Conservation Authorities Act 10, the
HCA has the right to close trails or suspend public access at any time for any reason, particularly to ensure public safety.
5) What is the need for a deer harvest and why at this time of year?
Deer harvesting is a part of a cultural and natural cycle of life to the Haudenosaunee. They use deer to feed their families and for
auspicious ceremonies that they observe at this particular time of year.
6) How is deer harvesting part of conservation and the HCA’s mandate?
Conservation is sustainable use and management of natural resources including wildlife (e.g. deer), water, air, and earth deposits. The
environment and its resources are used by humans and managed in a sustainable manner. Preservation, in contrast to conservation,
is where lands and natural resources are not consumed by humans and instead maintained in their pristine form. As a conservation
authority, the HCA has a responsibility to manage natural resources in such a manner that focuses on the needs and interests of not
only the natural environmental but also human beings.10
10 https://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90c27_e.htm
11 http://www.sustainable-environment.org.uk/Earth/Conservation_and_Preservation.php
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
DISCHARGE OF FIREARM AREA IN HAMILTON
RELOCATION OF JANUARY 2014 DEER HARVEST IN THE DUNDAS VALLEY
DISCHARGE OF BOW AREA IN HAMILTON