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FSIN donates wild meat to food bank

Dec 12, 2016 | 1:00 PM

After a donation of bison meat this early winter, the food bank is getting yet another donation of traditional wild meat.

Nearly 200 pounds of elk, moose and boar were donated by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) today, Dec. 12. The meat was harvested across Saskatchewan by various First Nations communities, according to Chief Bobby Cameron.

“For us at the FSIN, it was implementing and exercising our inherent and treaty right to hunt where our treaty members would benefit,” Cameron said. “It’s supporting and doing anything we can to make life a little easier for our urban membership.”

Cameron said he understands the issues which some urban residents face. There were times growing up in North Battleford where he himself had nothing to eat.

“[I] understand and sympathize with how hard life can be for urban people,” Cameron said. “Although some are flourishing, there are some that utilize this foodbank on a daily basis.”

Prince Albert Grand Council Grand Chief Ron Michel was present at the donation. He said this kind of meat is important to the urban residents of the 12 communities which make up the Grand Council.

“There is a lot of our people, a lot of our members live in [Prince Albert],” Michel said. “It’s really happy moments like that, that we’re here to help.”

Michel said many of the communities within the Grand Council will be celebrating Christmas by hosting feasts and other community activities in and around Prince Albert.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Chief Peter Beatty was also present at the food bank. He said the costs of food while living in an urban area is a challenge parts of his membership face.

“We’re coming to a part of the Christmas season where a lot of people don’t have what we have,” Beatty said. “I think it’s quite important that we support the efforts of the chief here to donate to the food bank.”

Beatty said the Cree Nation will also provide food hampers to its urban members in Prince Albert. He said there will be a Christmas supper coming up later this week.

Wes Clarke, the director of the food bank said this has been a good year for meat donations to the foodbank. He thanked Wal-Mart, and the FSIN for their efforts throughout the year. He said this meat would likely carry the food bank into the New Year.

The meat was prepped and cut by the Greenleaf Colony a group of Hutterites near Marcelin. According to Cameron, the FSIN will be donating almost 2,000 pounds of meat to foodbanks in North Battleford, Saskatoon, Regina, and Yorkton as well as Prince Albert.

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas