Misipawistik Cree Nation Chief calls for voluntary moose hunting closure to protect traditional territory

A First Nation leader in Manitoba is taking a stand for environmental stewardship by calling on all hunters to voluntarily halt the moose harvest in the community's traditional territory. On Wednesday, 18 September 2026, Misipawistik Cree Nation Chief Heidi Cook advocated for a hunting closure to address dwindling population numbers in the approved game hunting area along the northwestern shores of Lake Winnipeg. Chief Cook is appealing to both community members and the wider public to prioritize the health of the moose population before the season opens on Monday. According to reporting by CBC News, the Chief highlighted a significant discrepancy between provincial data and the community's lived experience. While the government issued 62 bull moose tags for the area this year, an aerial survey from the previous year estimated there were only 64 bull moose remaining in that specific territory. Historically, the Misipawistik Cree Nation harvested up to 19 moose per season, but Chief Cook noted that such numbers have not been seen for over a decade. She described the current situation as an "involuntary closure" because the animals are simply no longer there to be found. The Chief emphasized that the community has a treaty right to hunt, but that right is accompanied by a sacred responsibility to ensure the species survives for future generations. The importance of the moose extends beyond food security, touching on the very fabric of Cree culture. Chief Cook explained that the animal is tied to the community's relationship with the land, the tradition of sharing between families, and the seasonal rhythms of moose camps. By calling for this voluntary pause, the Misipawistik Cree Nation aims to protect these cultural connections and allow the ecosystem time to recover, ensuring the moose remain a fixture of the landscape for years to come.