The Stoney Nation in Alberta and Simpcw First Nation in B.C. came together in Jasper National Park over the weekend to reawaken their historic harvesting agreement of 1895 and to assert their connection—since time immemorial—to that territory. A pipe ceremony took place before the harvesting of foods, with the nations’ hunters gathering three elk, one white-tailed deer and one bighorn sheep.
For many years the nations have been on a journey of reconnection to their treaty. In the recent past, they have been allowed in the park to harvest medicines and do healing work, but not to harvest food. Not until Oct. 28 and Oct. 29.
Windspeaker Radio Network spoke with Simpcw First Nation Chief George Lampreau and Chiniki First Nation Chief Aaron Young on the historic moment for both nations.
Chiniki First Nation Chief Aaron Young (Left) and Simpcw First Nation Chief George Lampreau (Right) in Jasper for reawaking the harvest Treaty (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
Chief Lampreau talks about how the events that lead to the gathering in Jasper, saying that there is more that was needed to be done, which sparked the idea to meet with the Stoney Nation to reawaken the Treaty.
Stoney First Nation Flag erected on the harvesting camp in Jasper (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
Chiniki First Nation Chief Aaron Young calls the event a rekindling of what was already there, saying that it’s about time the gathering took place as a way of reminding the younger generations that it has always been their for a place to harvest since time and memorial.
Alan Fehr, Superintendent for Jasper National Park said it’s importance for Canadians to learn about the connections that Indigenous peoples have to the land both culturally and historically, and moving forward to a better Canada, following the historic gathering in Jasper.
Parks Canada worker learning how to hand craft weaving in Jasper (Photo Credits – Daniel Barker-Tremblay)
