{
  "id": 8292442,
  "title": "‘The entire population at risk’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/the-entire-population-at-risk",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T19:12:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/09/18/the-entire-population-at-risk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A northern Manitoba First Nation is seeking a voluntary halt to moose hunting in its traditional lands to safeguard the dwindling population and address the province's perceived lack of action. This call comes as the Misipawistik Cree Nation fears the collapse of the entire moose population if immediate action isn't taken. The First Nation's request targets this year's moose-hunting season, which begins on Monday, and covers a 10,000-square-kilometre boreal forest region near Grand Rapids. The population of moose in this area has dropped from an estimated 346 in 2013 to around 281 in 2025, according to the province's aerial big-game survey. Misipawistik Chief Heidi Cook emphasized the urgency, stating that the population could face extinction next year. The voluntary closure will remain in effect through the fall and winter moose seasons, which end in December. While there will be no enforcement, the First Nation's kanawenihcikewak Land Guardians program will monitor the game area and engage with hunters. Moose holds significant cultural importance for Misipawistik, serving as a source of food and a means to maintain intergenerational knowledge. The community has previously raised concerns about moose hunting and food security with the provincial government, filing a lawsuit in September, alleging that licensed hunting infringes on treaty rights to harvest moose for food on traditional lands. However, the judge has yet to rule on the case. Misipawistik's chief called for self-regulation by hunters as the provincial government appears unwilling to intervene. Despite the low success rate of licensed hunters in the area, the province maintains that the number of tags issued does not equate to the number of moose harvested. Other northern First Nations have echoed Misipawistik's concerns, with Bloodvein First Nation taking drastic measures to prevent non-Indigenous hunters from harvesting moose in their territory.",
  "summary": "A northern Manitoba First Nation is calling for a voluntary closure of moose hunting in its traditional territory to protect the declining population and respond to what it sees is […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}