On Thursday, Feb. 29, M茅tis Elders Kenny Hudson and Earl Evans were temporarily denied access to the Taltson winter road, but a spokesperson from the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) contends there was no intention of depriving the pair of their Indigenous hunting rights.

The road, which runs to the east of Fort Smith and is owned by NTPC, opened on Feb. 28. The following morning, Hudson and Evans set out to hunt moose on the surrounding land.

As they advanced down the road, they passed a truck owned by RoweSA国际影视传媒檚 Construction, a firm that the power corporation contracted to work on the route. The truck allegedly followed them, turned on its light bar and stopped the pair, and later called a large plow from farther down the road to create a blockade.

SA国际影视传媒淲e pulled aside [for the truck] and [the driver] opened the window and said, SA国际影视传媒榃here are you guys going?SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒� Hudson recalled. SA国际影视传媒淚 said, SA国际影视传媒榃eSA国际影视传媒檙e just going hunting.SA国际影视传媒� He said, SA国际影视传媒極h no youSA国际影视传媒檙e not. You canSA国际影视传媒檛 go down this road.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 told him, SA国际影视传媒榊ou know itSA国际影视传媒檚 illegal to interfere with Aboriginal harvesters.SA国际影视传媒� He says, SA国际影视传媒榊ouSA国际影视传媒檙e not going anywhere,SA国际影视传媒� and pulled right in front of us across the road.

SA国际影视传媒淗e knew the snow Cat was up ahead a couple of corners, I guess, so he radioed the snow Cat to come back, and then that snow Cat pushed a big berm across the road.SA国际影视传媒�

From there, Hudson and Evans poured themselves some coffee and SA国际影视传媒渟tarted making some callsSA国际影视传媒� in hopes of resolving the situation. After trying a number of local and territorial leaders, they connected with NTPC, who requested that the pair head back to town to collect a radio before heading down the Taltson road.

Doug Prendergast, a spokesperson for NTPC, confirmed that HudsonSA国际影视传媒檚 account of things was SA国际影视传媒減retty closeSA国际影视传媒� to the power corporationSA国际影视传媒檚 understanding of the situation.

SA国际影视传媒淭here were two hunters who felt that they were unfairly stopped from advancing on the Taltson winter road on Thursday [Feb. 29],SA国际影视传媒� Prendergast said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey wanted access to some of the traditional hunting grounds, which absolutely is within their rights. The contractor had some safety concerns because of the fact that the road had just officially been opened the day before. It met all the technical specifications to open, which is why it was announced that the road was open, but it was suggested that people not necessarily take the road.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is a narrow one-lane road, and there was traffic of larger vehicles moving material in and taking material out of the site, so it really was just a safety concern. There was no intent to prevent the hunters from accessing traditional lands.SA国际影视传媒�

Prendergast confirmed that there were SA国际影视传媒渁 couple of options providedSA国际影视传媒� to Hudson and Evans, including SA国际影视传媒渁n offer to provide a radio so that they could communicate with the operators at Taltson.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭hat actually ended up being the solution at the end of this,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪o it was a bit of a misunderstanding. The contractor was concerned about safety of both the people travelling the roads as well as his workers who were working farther along the road, but as soon as NTPC became aware of the situation, we spoke to both parties and were able to resolve the situation.SA国际影视传媒�

Hudson said he and Evans spent over three hours trying to rectify the situation, and by the time it was resolved, had lost much of the day they had intended to spend hunting.

Overall, he found the incident quite disheartening.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 74, Earl is 71,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e been hunting this country all our life. You know, it ruins your whole day [when something like this happens].SA国际影视传媒�

Hudson also remarked that some contractors might not have an adequate understanding of Indigenous peoplesSA国际影视传媒� hunting rights in the NWT.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be learning this stuff on the fly,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭his should be stuff theySA国际影视传媒檝e known for years at this point.SA国际影视传媒�

RoweSA国际影视传媒檚 Construction didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have anyone available to comment on the situation.

Prendergast acknowledged SA国际影视传媒渋t is possibleSA国际影视传媒� there is some confusion on the subject among some contractors, but added that he doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 believe that was the case in this incident.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen we made it clear to the contractor that the hunters did have rights to access their traditional land, [the contractor] acknowledged that and emphasized the fact that this was a safety concern,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Prendergast also noted that NTPC makes great efforts to maintain an open line of communication with Indigenous people.

SA国际影视传媒淚 can only speak for NTPC, but weSA国际影视传媒檙e always looking to improve communication among our Indigenous peoples, other stakeholders, et cetera,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e do have extensive public engagement and a fairly lengthy list of identified interested parties for things like the Taltson winter road and the operation of the hydro facility.

SA国际影视传媒淲e provide regular updates on whatSA国际影视传媒檚 happening, which normally does include information about this very thing. We also work with contractors to make sure that theySA国际影视传媒檙e aware of things like traditional rights, but you can always do better.SA国际影视传媒�

While the Feb. 29 episode could have been a misunderstanding, Hudson was adamant that he and Evans will continue to speak out when situations like this occur.

SA国际影视传媒淲e see a wrong here, and weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to make sure we correct this and it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 happen to our people again,SA国际影视传媒� he said.