First Nation Leaders in Northern Saskatchewnan came together this week for the Northern Saskatchewan Trappers Association annual convention to display their support for protecting traditional trapping practices in the province.

Trappers from the Northern Fur Conservation Area will also be at the convention and will be working together to protect the industry. The Natural Resources Transfer Agreement threatens the livelihood of trapping.

The NRTA was the transfer of control of land and natural resources to the three prairie provinces. That jurisdiction was originally held by the federal government.

First Nations in Canada argue that the NRTA should be amended, as it was a fundamental breach of Treaty rights, and violated principals of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on April 14th, that the federal government ‘will not be touching the NRTA’ to many First Nation Peoples and trapping groups’ dismay.