Hundreds of people stopped by the information centre lawn to learn first hand about the Simpcw First Nations people, in honour of National Aboriginal Day, June 18.
The national event鈥攐fficially celebrated on June 21鈥攊s an opportunity to recognize the contributions of Canada鈥檚 First Nations, M茅tis and Inuit people.
National Aboriginal Day has been a major event in Jasper since 2006. At that time, Parks Canada was beginning a journey of reconciliation with Aboriginal communities, acknowledging their traditional ties to the land in Jasper National Park. That year also marked the creation of the Jasper Aboriginal Forum鈥攁 bi-annual meeting of representatives from 20 to 25 Aboriginal groups to discuss issues and projects of mutual interest.
Through the work of the forum, an Aboriginal Cultural Area was designated in the park and traditional land use studies and ceremonies were initiated.
鈥淚鈥檓 very happy with the relationships we鈥檝e been building with the First Nations and the M茅tis communities at Jasper National Park through the Jasper Indigenous forum, and it reflects the renewed relationship that Canada seeks to achieve with the Indigenous people,鈥� said Alan Fehr, superintendent of JNP.
鈥淣ational Aboriginal Day is growing in importance, but it鈥檚 only one aspect of actions that have to be taken to truly achieve a new and positive relationship with Indigenous people.鈥�
Each year the park partners up with a different Indigenous community from the region to co-host the event. This year the festivities were led by the Simpcw First Nations people鈥攑art of the Shuswap Nation one of 17 bands who historically and currently live in the Thompson River Valley.
The Simpcw traditional territory extends from North of McLure to the headwaters of the Fraser River near McBride, and from T锚te Jeune Cache over to Jasper and south to the headwaters of the Athabasca River. In total, Simpcw Territory covers approximately five million hectares of land.
The band highlighted its culture through music, games and stories.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for us to not only come together with the park, but also for us to come together with other First Nations communities鈥攚e take turns sharing our traditions with the park because we all share this region,鈥� said Simpcw chief Nathan Matthew. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very important for us to represent ourselves and display our culture and have discussions.鈥�
While the day was a celebration, Matthew said he hopes attendees left the event with a deeper understanding of Canada鈥檚 First Nations people.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to understand not just the traditions, but their contemporary reality in terms of politics and how First Nations people live today,鈥� Matthew said. 鈥淎nd we believe Jasper National Park sees that as important as it commits significant resources and sets aside a day for the public to come and learn.鈥�
West Yellowhead MLA Eric Rosendahl was also on hand for the day. During his opening ceremony speech, Rosendahl said it is the Alberta government鈥檚 commitment to ensure that the province鈥檚 students learn the history of Canada鈥檚 Indigenous people and the country鈥檚 past with residential schools.
鈥淲e know that learning about the past is only one aspect of a renewed relationship, but it is an important one,鈥� Rosendahl said, adding that the government is also committed to working with Indigenous leaders to implement the principles and objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples.
鈥淎s a government we are working harder to acknowledge the incredible strength of the Indigenous peoples, and honour the heritage, contributions and culture of First Nations, Inuit and M茅tis communities across Canada,鈥� Rosendahl said. 鈥淭ogether we will build an inclusive society where Indigenous people are full participants in the social, economic and cultural life of our province.鈥�
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
