Indigenous people hunt and fish as a traditional means of hunting food for their survival and cultural aspects of life. However, this has been changed due to colonialism, treaties and law enforcements created by the Canadian government. Many First Nations believe that treaties protect their rights to hunt and fish traditionally. While the government’s regulations have sometimes restricted it and led to numerous arrests and legal conflicts across Canada. 

The history of these traditions date back thousands of years before Canada existed. Indigenous people relied on fishing for food, culture and survival. When indigenous people signed treaties, they were under the assumption that they would still have the right to hunt and fish like normal. During colonization however, the Canadian government was bringing in laws and regulations that heavily limited their right to freely hunt and fish. This was done through legislation such as the Fisheries Act and Indian Act. By the 20th century, many exemptions that allowed Indigenous people to hunt and fish were removed. As a result, Indigenous hunters and fishers faced arrests, fines and equipment confiscation. Many indigenous leaders and community members have fought to defend their rights to fishing and hunting. One important figure was Donald Marshall JR., a Mi’kmaw leader whose arrest in 1993 related to fishing led to a supreme court decision in 1999. The case was won, leading to the affirmation of fishing and hunting rights for the sake of a livelihood. Another important advocate was Ronald Sparrow, a Musqueam fisherman from British Columbia whose arrest and court case, known as the Sparrow case, fought for indigenous fishing and hunting rights especially for those on unceded land.

Today the issue has taken massive steps in the right direction. Indigenous communities and allies alike continue to work to protect and exercise their rights to traditionally hunt and fish. They utilize independent, treaty-based fisheries such as the Mi’kmaq livelihood fishery in Nova Scotia that issues licenses through First Nation governments rather than only relying on federal permits. These ongoing initiatives in the forms of legal battles, community support and alternate fishing options within Indigenous communities have contributed to the issue today. Hunting and fishing remain an important part in Indigenous culture and reconciliation.