Hostelling International’s Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel in Banff National Park is closing its doors on Jan. 1, 2018, following a land claim settlement between the federal government and Siksika First Nation.
Alistair McLean, CEO of Hostelling International Canada Pacific Mountain region, said the Wilderness Hostel’s last night in operation will be New Year’s Eve, 2017, and it’s already fully booked.
“It’s obviously sad for us,” said McLean, noting the hostel has been run for 68 years. “We have welcomed a lot of Albertans, Canadians and people from around the world who have had the opportunity to enjoy Banff National Park.”
The historic land claim deal, signed in Calgary in late January, provides Siksika with about $123 million in financial compensation.
The settlement from a more than century-old dispute gave Siksika an opportunity to acquire leases for the hostel, Castle campground, and, on a willing-buyer, willing-seller basis, a chance to buy outlying commercial accommodation facilities.
Siksika Nation’s claim dates back to the 1880s when land at Castle Mountain was set aside as a timber berth. The claim’s basis was lands were wrongfully taken from the First Nation in 1908 without consent and proper compensation.
In 1911, lands at Castle Mountain, known as the Miistukskoowa area to Siksika, were added to Rocky Mountain Park, now Banff National Park.
No firm details on Siksika’s plans are known yet, but one idea Siksika has suggested to honour Blackfoot culture is to create an international youth hostel where visitors would learn about Blackfoot traditions.
Chief Joe Weasel Child of Siksika Nation said earlier this year they will celebrate a new beginning at Miistukskoowa.
“As one of our last untouched sacred sites, Siksika will be working collaboratively with Parks Canada to share a unique Northern Blackfoot culturally-based eco-tourism experience with all Canadians and tourists from all over the world,” he said.
The Castle Mountain hostel is one of nine wilderness hostels in Banff and Jasper National Parks, which offer a range of rustic hostelling experiences along the Icefields Parkway and beyond.
HI Castle Mountain was established by the Canadian Youth Hostel Association in 1949 in three restored WWII prisoner-of-war camp buildings, offering dormitory-style sleeping arrangements alongside a communal kitchen and wood-fireplace lounge.
“Throughout its long history, the hostel has hosted school groups, family reunions, international backpackers and local outdoor enthusiasts,” said McLean.
