Reawakening the treaties
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Self-determination Lands, territories and resources First Nations
How two First Nations came together to reawaken an age-old treaty in Jasper National Park
The Stoney Nakoda Nations in Alberta and Simpcw First Nation in British Columbia came together in Jasper National Park in October 2023 to reawaken a sacred treaty and reconnect with their traditional lands.
Since time immemorial, the Stoney Nakoda and Simpcw First Nations, along with other Indigenous nations, built thriving communities and cared for the land in what is now the 11,000 square kilometres of Jasper National Park.
This project supports UN Declaration Action Plan Measure SP35, which is about harvesting rights and Indigenous Guardians.
Stoney First Nation and Simpcw First Nation with Parks Canada staff gather at the treaty reawakening in Jasper National Park.
The two nations had an age-old treaty to share the resources and caretaking of the land, coming together every four years to trade food, share medicines and have ceremony. But the Government of Canada physically removed Indigenous communities from their traditional territories when Jasper National Park was created in 1907.
The Stoney and Simpcw First Nations have been on a journey to reconnect to their treaty for years. They are reintroducing their youth and doing healing work on the land. They also participate in the Indigenous Forum at Jasper National Park, an advisory group focused on making space for Indigenous people and culture in Jasper National Park.
Parks Canada collaborated with the Nations to help facilitate their idea to reawaken their treaty through a ceremony and harvest.
This project is one of many ways that Parks Canada, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous people, is implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan. Parks Canada is leading 5 Action Plan Measures aimed at recognizing and supporting Indigenous peoples’ rights and responsibilities in stewarding lands, water and ice within their traditional territories, treaty lands and ancestral homelands.
- Read about the treaty reawakening in these stories from Jasper Fitzhugh News and Radio-Canada story (French only)
- Hear from the Chiefs of Simpcw First Nation and Chiniki First Nation, one of the three nations that comprise the Stoney Nakoda First Nation on Windspeaker Radio
- Learn about one family’s story of removal and efforts to return to their homelands in Jasper National Park in this Montecristo magazine story
Contributed by: Parks Canada
Department of Justice Canada
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