'They busted the locks on our deep freeze': Sask. Cree elder says moose meat was confiscated in raid

An elder from a Saskatchewan First Nation says his home was raided last fall by conservation officers who confiscated moose meat intended for use in a ceremonial gathering and feast.

An elder from Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation says his home was raided last fall by conservation officers who confiscated moose meat intended for use in a ceremonial gathering and feast.

"They busted the locks on our deep freeze," Doug Morningchild told reporters Friday morning during a news conference organized by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous (FSIN) Nations.

According to Morningchild and the FSIN, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment staff showed up at his home unannounced on Oct.7.

"[An officer] said that I killed three moose, but how can I kill three moose when I didn't even have any firearms," Morningchild said.

"Any meat that we had, we had been saving for the following spring season once we started our ceremonies."

He said he was charged for having wild moose meet inside the house and slapped with a nearly $3000 fine.

"I can guarantee you if you were to go to every house around my place, [they] would have wild moose meat in their house," Morningchild said.