A resolution to a longstanding land claim by the Siksika First Nation in Banff National Park may soon be settled once and for all.
The Siksika are a Treaty 7 First Nation that has sought the return of land near Castle Mountain that was traditionally part of their territory and considered crucial to hunting, trading, camping and spiritual practice.
The original land claim was filed in 1960 by the First Nation, however, it has been since 2003 that negotiations with the federal government regarding the land claim have been ongoing.
At the 18th annual planning forum for Banff National Park last Thursday (Feb. 11), Ernest Waterchief with the Siksika Nation said officials with the band’s membership were holding a meeting that same night to discuss the issue.
“The government has made an offer to us,” Waterchief said. “As we speak tonight, the Siksika Nation is having a conference meeting with our membership on the reserve.”
The Castle Mountain Indian Reserve was created as part of Treaty No. 7, which was a peace treaty between the Blackfoot confederacy, which includes the Siksiska, the Blood, Tsuu T’ina and Stoney, and the Crown in 1877.
Waterchief said the Siksika Nation has a lot to offer the country and Parks Canada and they want to have more say and “help parks with tourism.
“We are not asking for a handout, but we are asking for what belongs to us,” he said.
Banff field unit superintendent Dave McDonough said Parks and the federal government are working closely with the Siksika to resolve the Castle dispute.
“This has been a long process in terms of the Castle claim and we are coming down near the end and what I hope is a positive end,” McDonough said.
He said a priority of Parks Canada is to work with First Nations partners and build those relationships and there is a great opportunity to do that with the Siksika in particular.
“(The Castle area) is an important area for them and we have been working closely for a number of years now and I think we can build on that,” McDonough said. “I am hoping as we go forward we will have more tangible things to show and have the involvement of the Siksika in the national park.”
