SQUAMISH, B.C. — BC Green MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Jeremy Valeriote is voicing his support for the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations in their decision to periodically restrict visitors to Pipi7iyekw/Joffre Lakes Provincial Park to allow for cultural reconnection, land stewardship, and healing:
“I am grateful to the Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua Nation for their stewardship of Pipi7iyekw/Joffre Lakes Park. Visitation to this area has grown exponentially in the past few years, creating significant impacts on the land, ecological health, and public safety along Highway 99. This influx has prompted the need to cap annual visitors to 60,000 and it is thanks to the foresight of the two Nations that this area will be healthy and protected for future generations to enjoy.”
“Reconnection Periods, where land and wildlife can recover from human impacts, give Líl̓wat and N’Quatqua Nations community members essential time to practice Nt̓ákmen (meaning “our way”). Canada’s history is fraught with examples of First Nations being denied access to lands that were home to their ancestors and way of life. If we are to fulfill our commitments through the 2019 Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, we must seek to understand why Reconnection Periods are important to Canada’s First Nations. Ensuring Indigenous people can gather, heal, and practice their traditions on their territory is not only a constitutional right — it’s the right thing to do.”
“Residents of the Sea-to-Sky are no stranger to the impacts of tourism on the land, and strongly support awareness initiatives like ‘Don’t Love it to Death.’ While the intent for Pipi7iyekw/Joffre Lakes is to protect traditional and cultural land uses, I know that common ground on recreation opportunities is also achievable, and I ask the public to work towards solutions with patience and respect. Reconnection Periods, in conjunction with the Visitor Use Management Strategy, are already making measurable improvements to local ecology, and I am proud to fully support these measures.”
“As our province marks National Indigenous Peoples Day tomorrow, I hope British Columbians of every stripe take this opportunity to reflect on the wisdom, knowledge and stewardship of First Nations people, and carry on with the hard work of partnership and reconciliation.”
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Media contact
Ryan Hook
Press Secretary
BC Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | ryan.hook@leg.bc.ca