First Nations

Across Canada, First Nations play an important and often lead role in the ownership and management a National Park.

The Haida First Nation has a national park, Gwaii Haanas. Their Park Superintendent and their Watchmen are all Haida. Conde Naste has called this the best National Park in the world. Last year the Haida proudly opened a new cultural centre with significant funding from Parks Canada. With the support of Parks Canada, they have now almost completed the establishment of a new National Marine Conservation Area that will provide protection in the ocean immediately adjacent to the National Park.

The Similkameen River runs through First Nations territory. Photo by Chloe O'Loughlin.

The Deh Cho First Nation is proud of the Nahanni National Park within their Traditional Territory. They are working with the Federal Government and others to expand the park seven times to include the entire watershed within their territory. This expansion has almost been completed.

First Nations have substantial rights in a national park, including the right to hunt, trap and collect medicinal plants.

Parks Canada has posted an important announcement on their web site related to First Nations involvement in the South Okanagan-Similkameen feasibility study:

Feasibility Study Update – February, 2009

Following four years of work with the Province of B.C. and including stakeholders, local residents and First Nations, much has been learned about the technical components of park feasibility. The feasibility study has involved a rigorous technical, planning and consultative process. Some components, including the assessment of feasibility from an Okanagan First Nations perspective, are incomplete.

At this time, Parks Canada's priority for the feasibility study is to respectfully seek re-engagement with the Okanagan First Nations, so that we may have a park proposal that fully reflects the interests of the Syilx people, as well as local communities. The proposed national park reserve provides an exceptional opportunity to conserve nature that might otherwise be lost, and to showcase the natural and cultural attributes of the South Okanagan Lower Similkameen landscape.

Contact politicians today to tell them to help make the national park a reality!