First Nations to call for more say in park system at national conference
Giving indigenous people a greater say in the operation of national parks and the creation of new protected areas is on the agenda at a major conference in Alberta this week.
First Nations leaders and officials from the federal and provincial governments will review proposals that could give more legal weight to protected areas designated by bands, said Steve Nitah, a delegate to the Canadian Parks Conference being held over four days starting Wednesday in Banff.
“Canada can be a real leader in the process of reconciliation by re-establishing a new relationship with indigenous governments and communities that have been impacted by national parks and provincial parks that have been created in the past,” he said.
The conference is being hosted by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association. Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna is scheduled to speak, as are federal and provincial parks officials.