Fort Smith, March 1st 1933

Dear Sir

RE. Jonas Lavoilette application

Reference application of Jonas Lavoilette Chief of the Chipewyan band of treaty Indians for a permit to hunt and trap in the old park and the annex I beg to report that Chief Lavoilette’s case was dealt with during the winter of 1925 when Jonas Lavoilette applied for a permit to trap in the annex and his application was not approved by the department.

There are a large number of treaty indians in the Fort Chipewyan district who have at some time hunted and trapped in the area which is now the Wood Buffalo Park who have not permits to hunt in the park.

There are also Indians in the Fort Chipewyan District who were born in the above named area who have not permits.

At the time the permit system in the park was commenced a list of names of treaty Indians who were considered to be eligible for permits was forwarded to the department by the department of Indian affairs, and the name of Jonas Lavoilette was not on the list.

Owing to the supervision of the warden service game has increased in the Wood Buffalo Park to a noticeable extent in comparison with the area surrounding the park, especially Beaver and Moose, and naturally all treat Indians who have not permits to trap in the park are very anxious to secure the privilege.

There is no doubt that at Richardson Lake where Jonas Lavoilette lives there are a large number of treaty Indians who are in the same position as Mr Lavoilette as to having at some time trapped or hunted in the area which is now the park, whose application would follow closely upon the granting of a permit to Jonas Laviolette.

As Chief of the Chipewyan band it would probably found to be in order to allow Chief Lavoilette permission to enter the park at any time for the purpose of visiting his people those of whom hunt in the park.

I have the honor to remain Sir

Your obedient servant

M. J. Dempsey

Park Warden

Wood Buffalo Park

Mr J Milner

Acting District Agent

Fort Smith

N. W.