Fort St. John Métis Society to host conservation and outdoor education program

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Métis Society is holding ethical hunting classes for outdoor enthusiasts. 

The Conservation and Outdoor Education (CORE) program will be hosted by the society for its members over three days, beginning on Thursday, June 18th, and continuing until Saturday, June 20th.

Bailie Copeland, the director and grant writer for FSJMS, says the opportunity to host an event dedicated to learning about the outdoors came about as a result of grants she had previously applied for.

It was one of two programs the society has offered, along with a possession acquisition licence [PAL] course for firearms.

“Most of our funding comes from grants,” explained Copeland. “The majority of it from outside grants.”

“We’d never received a grant for [a PAL] course before. It came from the Canadian Government and the RCMP.”

The CORE program is unique to hunters province-wide and offers instruction on safe, ethical hunting for the protection and conservation of wildlife, according to a BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) website.

Copeland told Energeticcity.ca that she and her family had taken the course previously and thought the prospect of teaching others ethical and safe hunting methods would be important to FSJMS members.

“We believe that it’s important if you’re going to be out in the backwoods, that you have first aid and survival instincts,” said Copeland. “It is important for our young kids coming up [that] they have access to [those programs].”

“If their parents do not have it, they can also take it. Family activities are important for the Métis culture.”

The FSJMS is a fully functioning nation within the Métis Nation of British Columbia, and its membership currently exceeds 800.

The CORE program offered by the FSJMS will take place over three days starting on Thursday, June 20th. 

Registration is required, with a $50 deposit, which will be returned to attendees upon completion of the program. 

To find out more, call the FSJMS at 250-785-1541 or email fsjmetis@telus.net.