Province, Piikani sign agreement
The Government of Alberta announced Friday afternoon that it has signed an agreement, dubbed Co-operative Management Terms of Reference, with the Piikani Nation to ensure that treaty rights, traditional practices and Indigenous knowledge are better protected in the Castle region.
“We heard from First Nations that they often did not feel comfortable in our parks,” said Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks and Lethbridge West MLA, in a news release Friday.
“This is a clear message that we need to do better, and do more, to foster a new and better relationship. This agreement marks a tremendous opportunity for government, Indigenous peoples, local communities and visitors to celebrate and appreciate First Nations’ rich culture in Alberta’s parks.”
The Castle Management Plan was the first time Alberta Parks included a primary objective respecting Indigenous rights and a chapter devoted to First Nations. The terms of reference also create a management board that “will increase cultural practices on the landscape and protect access to areas of cultural significance.”
“This agreement allows Piikani to work collectively with the Government of Alberta in managing this area,” said Piikani Nation Chief Stanley Grier, in the release.
“It allows our people to be more interactive and to express our history and our usage of the Castle region while also ensuring our Elders and our current generation can continue to exercise cultural practices and treaty rights important to who we are as a people. It’s a historic day.”
The Alberta Parks and Piikani Nation Management Board will provide input on: Piikani hunting and harvesting practices such as berrypicking, personal wood-harvesting, teepee poles and willows; cultural practices such as sweat lodges or other ceremonies that require privacy or seclusion; access management and protection of specific cultural areas of importance; interpretation and education of Piikani history and culture, including appropriate use of Blackfoot language in Alberta Parks signage and naming; economic development opportunities such as retail, guiding and interpretation services; and training of Alberta Parks staff to ensure awareness of Indigenous rights, culture and practices.
The board will be co-chaired by two representatives, one appointed by Alberta Parks and one appointed by Piikani Chief and council. Up to six other members will be named to the board, including at least one Elder.