As a hunt in Jasper National Park by Indigenous people wrapped up last week, Parks Canada officials say there are no plans for a similar hunt in neighbouring Banff National Park.
A written agreement governed the Simpcw First Nation’s hunt, which took place Oct. 6-10 in a temporarily closed area east of Snaring River, north of Highway 16 and the Athabasca River.
A maximum of 10 ungulates were allowed to be taken under the agreement, and by the end of the hunt that wrapped up earlier than expected due to weather, three elk, two bighorn sheep and one white-tailed deer were killed.
“Parks Canada has no plans for First Nations hunting in Banff National Park at this time,” said Christie Thomson, public relations and communications officer for Banff National Park.
Hunting activities have been banned for decades in Jasper. Members of the Simpcw First Nation, including elders, youth, men and women, reconnected with their traditionally used lands while camping in the park during the hunting period.
Parks officials say the Simpcw First Nation from British Columbia has been talking with Parks Canada for a number of years about their wish to hold a traditional harvest on traditionally used lands within the boundaries of Jasper National Park.
Steve Young, a spokesperson for Jasper National Park, said harvest rates were kept within a sustainable level.
“This will in no way have an impact on the sustainability of wildlife populations in Jasper National Park,” he said.
Simpcw First Nation is a Secwepemc band and member of Shuswap Nation Tribal Council on the North Thompson River at Chu Chua in B.C. Research indicates a history of harvesting by Secwepemc people in the region encompassing Jasper National Park.
Nathan Matthew, chief of Simpcw First Nation, said the hunt “means the world to us.”
“This harvest gives us a better memory of Jasper National Park and helps deal with some of the intergenerational trauma of being forced from the land.
“Together, we are working in a true spirit of reconciliation with Parks Canada to move forward together through mutual respect.”
Bow Valley Naturalists (BVN) say they are sympathetic to First Nations’ concerns, and their frustration with land claim issues, and share their belief in the importance of being connected to the land.
They say relative to the most serious threats to park ecological integrity – development, increasing visitation pressures and change in natural systems due to warming from greenhouse gas emissions - small-scale, well-managed First Nations harvesting is likely to have a minor effect on ecosystems.
“Still, we feel a level of discomfort with the recent Simpcw hunt in Jasper National Park, primarily in regard to the veil of secrecy surrounding the decision-making process and implementation,” said Reg Bunyan, a member of BVN’s board of directors.
“We wonder about the precedent for the Rocky Mountain National Parks, how the decisions were made on harvest levels and species, what the implications are for other First Nations, what, if any, future hunts are planned and what, if any, policies are guiding these decisions.”
