Aboriginal Peoples of Canada and Protected Heritage Areas

[Protected Heritage Areas]

Aboriginal Peoples of Canada and Protected Heritage Areas
http://www.pc.gc.ca/culture/index_E.asp

Aboriginal Peoples have not had a strong voice, historically, where national parks and national historic sites are concerned. As a result, opportunities connected to operations have been elusive for them. However, because parks, sites and canals have been important to the Aboriginal Peoples, Parks Canada has been working closely with them and making up for lost time with some significant results. Still, challenges remain.

PUKASKWA
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/on/pukaskwa/

Set in the heart of the Canadian Shield, Pukaskwa's 120 kilometers of Lake Superior shoreline offer the scenery that captured the hearts of the Group of Seven. The park is situated only a few minutes' drive from the Ojibways of Pic River First Nation Territory, and has offered opportunities to them and to the Robinson Superior Treaty First Nations from the day it was established.

These treaty nations have clearly defined roles in park management and direction, although there is much to achieve if they are to reach their goals for Pukaskwa. In partnership with Parks Canada, the Robinson Superior Treaty First Nations have made significant inroads toward new opportunities, while taking advantage of existing ones. For example, Aboriginal people staff 50 percent of positions at the park - the halfway point to one of their goals.

"We insisted that positions be designated exclusively for people of the Robinson Superior Treaty. Most of the wardens at Pukaskwa are Aboriginal," says Roy Michano, Chief of the Ojibways of Pic River First Nation.

Pukaskwa Superintendent Sharon Otiquam, herself a member of the Ojibways of Pic River First Nation, believes a more broad-based approach from a national perspective should replace the current site-by-site effort if First Nations are to benefit from what she feels is largely an untapped potential.

She says Aboriginal people may not know certain opportunities exist and that Parks Canada should be prepared to take the initiative and invite them into the circle. Otiquam says places like Pukaskwa can teach a good deal about how business can be done with First Nations.

"If First Nations treaty rights and Aboriginal rights are to be truly recognized, there should be changes in the way the parks are operated," says Chief Michano. "We have expertise now, we have people who know the system, and we know how to take care of these special places...we know how to take care of what the Creator has given us."

"Twenty years ago, the economic opportunities the First Nations saw were completely different from those of today," says Otiquam. They now include protection of the environment: for example, plans to build an onsite hotel at Pukakswa were dropped. Instead, the 18,000 annual visitors come for a wilderness experience that also offers facilities like washrooms and showers.

Although some ideas have not been developed, others, like cultural presentations, have succeeded. "The overall goal of the presentation program is to relate the Aboriginal history of the area, the cultural as well as a spiritual component," says Dan Couchie, Manager of Heritage Protection and Presentation and another Ojibways of Pic River First Nation member.

Couchie was instrumental in developing the First Nations Warden Training Program at Pukaskwa, which offers meaningful employment while providing an incentive for continued education. "Most recruits didn't finish high school, while a full-fledged park warden requires at least two years' study in natural science either in a college diploma program or at a university," he says. To take a position in the program and get on-the-job experience, recruits must continue their education. In the near future, Parks Canada will be promoting the Park Officer Training Program, which is based on the work done at Pukaskwa, as well as other parks.

GWAII HAANAS
http://www.parkscanada.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/gwaiihaanas

An unprecedented co-operative accomplishment, the Gwaii Haanas Agreement sprang from a tense situation. The Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve encompasses the southern part of the Queen Charlotte Islands. It is an area rich in Haida history, teeming with wildlife, ecologically unique and dramatically picturesque.

In the mid-1980s, the Haida wanted the area protected from the clearcutting going on there. Working with environmental groups, the Haida succeeded in 1987 in having the federal and provincial governments commit to establish a national park reserve in the area, which is subject to a land claim by the Haida. Despite this, the Haida and Parks Canada were able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement to manage the area cooperatively without addressing the question of land title.

"We look at that area as a source of culture, a source of food, and a place where the people have an opportunity to connect with the unspoiled earth, not as a place where picnic benches are the norm," Guujaaw, President of the Council of the Haida Nation and former co-chair of the Gwaii Haanas Archipelago Management Board says. "The priority is for the well-being of the land. The overall goal is that in 20, 50, or even 200 years, someone could go down and enjoy the land as we see it today."

Although the fledgling partnership that sprang from the Gwaii Haanas Agreement did not immediately win the support of all Haida people, there were several turning points that increased public support among the Haida community. In one instance, human skeletal remains were found while construction of a visitor information center was in progress: work was halted while elders and community leaders were consulted. The Haida leaders told Parks Canada work could resume if they held a special ceremony for the disturbed burial site. This became the first ever federally hosted potlatch. The event demonstrated that Parks Canada was serious in its goals of meaningful partnership while fulfilling the objectives of the agreement. "To see Parks Canada showing this kind of respect not only got us a lot of credibility in the Haida community, it was also a morale-builder for the entire Parks Canada staff at Gwaii Haanas," says Ernie Gladstone, himself a member of the Haida Nation and acting Gwaii Haanas Superintendent.

Fifty percent of the staff at Gwaii Haanas are Haida people. They work in a variety of positions at the park and keep the Haida people informed about park operations and how the obligations under the agreement are being fulfilled. "We've taken a lot of steps in the past, and in particular over the past five years, to ensure that the people have a comprehensive understanding of what the agreement means and entails," says Gladstone.

"Both parties bring a combination of resources and skills to the table that carry much more weight than each party would if they were to manage the Gwaii Haanas area independently," says Gladstone. "The Haida bring an established presence as well as knowledge of Gwaii Haanas and Haida culture that has been gained through many generations of living and traveling in Haida Gwaii. Parks Canada brings resources, skills, experience and knowledge gained through years of managing other protected areas."

"The Gwaii Haanas Agreement is referred to both nationally and internationally as an innovative cooperative agreement for protected areas in Canada," he says. "It has set the stage for the negotiation and establishment of future protected areas which include involvement and cooperation with Aboriginal peoples. The agreement focuses on reaching a common ground, while at the same time respecting diverging viewpoints."


FORT TÉMISCAMINGUE

Fort Témiscamingue, located in northwestern Quebec, is a national historic site in a state of change. The early fur-trade site has been closed for two operational seasons while Timiskaming First Nation and the federal government work toward a solution to the First Nation's issues.

The fort is the principal tourist attraction in the area: all nearby communities share a keen interest in its operations. Local businesses from the Ville Marie area raised $500,000 for site improvements. "There are some different views but everyone shares a common interest in the site," says Claude Filion, Field Unit Superintendent for Parks Canada.

Parks Canada hopes a cooperative management board can be created that will bring appropriate players into the forum. "We've all agreed that we have to work together in presentation and development of the site and we share the goal of finding a balance that will be fair to everyone," says Filion.

"I don't see it as a tripartite agreement. I see it as being between us and Parks Canada," says Allan McLaren, who is responsible for the Land Rights for the Algonquin Nations Secretariat, "And having spoken to the secretary for the municipalities, I know they would be satisfied that the fort be open and attracting tourists to the area." He adds that the Algonquin have not ruled out including other interests to consider issues such as continued development of the site and joint-venture possibilities.

The Algonquin say the site will improve with an increased Aboriginal presence both in operations and delivery of activities such as canoe-building. "We're going to have to have a strong voice in the upper echelons of management. We can coexist, but we'd like to see more of our culture, traditions and spirituality represented," says McLaren.

PARKS CANADA'S ABORIGINAL SECRETARIAT

Efforts to assist in the realization of Aboriginal aspirations are not restricted to national parks and national historic sites of Canada. As part of the federal government's commitment in volume 3 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Gathering Strength, Parks Canada has created a key new body that will fulfill objectives ranging from improved communications and networking to advising on sensitivity issues. The recently launched Aboriginal Secretariat will provide Parks Canada with a focal point on Aboriginal issues and encourage a more proactive approach. It will also help develop two-way communication with associations like the Assembly of First Nations, Aboriginal women's associations, friendship centres and others.

"We'll be dealing with a variety of issues, including economics, Aboriginal tourism and Parks Canada, and other ways we can build a stronger relationship with Aboriginal people," says Steve Langdon, who heads the secretariat. An Aboriginal person himself, he is interested in using the Internet, workshops and current technology to feed information from site to site across the country. "I plan to focus on forward thinking with Aboriginal people, on communications and on using parks and sites as venues to present Aboriginal culture," he says. "There will be a continued effort on Aboriginal employment and on potential youth employment."

THE SAHTU DENE AND MÉTIS

In the Northwest Territories, the Sahtu Dene are moving quickly to protect four national historic sites intimately connected to their oral tradition. The sites are Scented Grass Hills, Grizzly Bear Mountain, Franklin's Fort and the Déline Fishery. "We want to protect the stories, as well as the sites and locations associated with the stories that make up the cultural landscape that embodies the spirit and the culture of the people there," says Chuck Blyth, the Nahanni National Park Superintendent responsible for the sites.

"The momentum for protection for the four historic sites was a cooperative effort involving many individuals and land managers and the Déline community," says Sophie Borcoman, Senior Heritage Program Officer.

The Sahtu Dene and Métis, by implementing their comprehensive land claim and the new Protected Areas Strategy for the Northwest Territories, will determine how the sites will be protected and presented. "Their leaders are very well-versed on commemorative integrity, as well as conservation and presentation planning," says Blyth."They all seem to agree where they want to end up, and we all have the same goals for ensuring the commemorative integrity. Unfortunately, it will take a while to get there because we have to be very careful to follow the right path and work out all the details."

"Our people want to protect these sites. The presentations will show information we have gathered from our elders. That is really important to us," says Raymond Taniton, Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hill coordinator and former Grand Chief for the region. "These sites tell the story of our culture and our history. Our people know they have to protect them and the beauty of the area," he notes, then adds that it is also important to protect the ecological and commemorative integrity of the sites from the possible impacts of surface and subsurface developments.

MANITOU MOUNDS

Funding arrangements among Parks Canada, the Rainy River First Nation and the Province of Ontario have led to the promotion and presentation of a unique national historic site in Northwestern Ontario.

The Manitou Mounds National Historic Site, which represents some of the oldest archeological finds in the country, is taking shape as a profitable attraction that showcases both contemporary and historical Aboriginal culture. The principal burial mounds date from between 400 to 2,000 years ago, with evidence that other sites are as old as 5,000 years or more. The site stretches along 2.5 kilometres of the Rainy River shoreline. It encompasses some 29 habitations and 15 burial mounds representing the people of the Laurel and Blackduck times.

The site was designated in 1970 and has been developed as a major tourism attraction as a result of the persistent efforts of the Rainy River First Nation. These resulted in a cost-sharing agreement with Parks Canada, and a separate arrangement with the Province of Ontario. Parks Canada also has provided the First Nation with expertise on site development.

"Economically, it's good for the community and the surrounding area, as we contribute in terms of wages and purchase of goods and services. Socially, it's creating a sense of pride in the community, a sense of belonging, and a sense of ownership," says Rainy River First Nation Chief Jim Leonard. The benefits reach beyond the community, as the site has increased tourism to Northwestern Ontario. They also have a multiplier effect, as surrounding communities become more interested in partnerships with the First Nation.

Chief Leonard says the process, which began three decades ago, has been long and challenging but nonetheless a positive experience. Community elders and their traditional knowledge have been vital to the process at all stages, although all people of the Rainy River First Nation have contributed to its development. Now, they are sharing their experience with other Aboriginal groups interested in developing historic sites.

RIDING MOUNTAIN

In the heart of Manitoba, Riding Mountain National Park stands out in sharp contrast to the patchwork of earth tones of adjacent farms. Its forests boast pristine scenery and teem with wildlife. The Keeseekoowenin reserve land lies within the park's boundaries. Park management has established a consultative mechanism and a decision-making forum which act as springboards for developing and implementing ideas and for dealing with outstanding issues.

The Riding Mountain Round Table is a consensus-driven circle of stakeholders who identify potential issues and advise on how mutual objectives can be best attained. "In order to maintain long-term ecological and commemorative integrity we need to work with the people," says Greg Fenton, Field Unit Superintendent.

"The people of the Keeseekoowenin First Nations were not stakeholders, however, and felt that the Round Table did not allow them an appropriate voice. They therefore created a process that would put decision-makers from both sides at the same table. At their request, we entered into a bilateral agreement to build a more positive, mutually beneficial relationship while addressing specific issues. Our challenge is to meet the expectations of the Keeseekoowenin First Nations and work with them to address and resolve issues, while we also continue to work with the other First Nations," says Fenton.

"The Senior Officials Forum was established so we could work together in a mutually respectful atmosphere; otherwise it could be more confrontational," says Brion Whitford, the forum coordinator. "We'll bring key issues forward and hopefully they will be resolved. The forum makes this much easier, as we've established a relationship of mutual respect. We have to work together to be successful."

To increase Aboriginal workforce participation, Riding Mountain has hired a First Nations employment equity officer, a position that has existed for the past year. "It has provided a dedicated liaison with the First Nations community so we can raise the profile of our commitment to enhancing representation in the workforce while making Parks Canada opportunities better known among First Nations people," says Fenton.

THE FORTRESS OF LOUISBOURG

Not far from Sydney, Nova Scotia, an eighteenth-century stone fortress rises out on the rocky shore of the Atlantic Ocean. The one-time French colonial stronghold, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, draws about 130,000 visitors annually. One of the storylines presented there deals with the important historical relationship between the French colonists and their Aboriginal allies, the Mi'kmaq.

In the mid-1990s, Parks Canada approached representatives of the local First Nations, all Mi'kmaq, to discuss how the historical Aboriginal presence and current interests could be best represented at the fortress. The relationship developed, creating a new way of doing business to enhance the commemorative integrity of the site.

Working collaboratively, Parks Canada and the Mi'kmaq developed an on-site hiking trail overlooking the fortress. Trail-side panels in three languages provide information about the Mi'kmaq, their close relationship to the land and environment, their cultural history and their place in society today.

The trail did not garner the level of interest sought by the two partners. A second product developed in 1998, however, an on-site cultural presentation by Mi'kmaq staff, was very successful. Max Sylliboy, a Mi'kmaq and aspiring archaeologist, delivers presentations that are informative, dynamic and edged with humor and wit. He carries on a continuous dialogue with the audience as he leads his guests through an assortment of cultural items. He explains their use and history, and how they remain part of a vibrant, living culture.

The ground that has been broken at Louisbourg is only the beginning of a developing relationship that has the potential to yield many benefits and opportunities for First Nations people. Similarly, the ecological and commemorative integrity of sites from coast to coast could be improved with input from the Aboriginal community.