metis reconciliation projects

7/27/2019 Metis Reconciliation Projects

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/metis-reconciliation-projects 1/9

Metis Reconciliation Projects

Parks CanadaAboriginal Affairs Secretariat (AAS)

Working Together: Our Stories

Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Aboriginal Engagement

Chapter 1 – Connecting With Aboriginal Partners

In February 2008, Parks Canada CEO Alan Latourelle confirmed the Agency’s desire tocontinue to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal peoples by developing a framework

that engages Aboriginal communities in the planning and management of national parks,national historic sites and marine conservation areas. Parks Canada has also made acommitment to continue establishing formal relationships with Aboriginal partnersthroughout the organization. These relationships will represent a broad spectrum of collaborative structures as each one is guided by the specific cultural and legal context of their community.

Recently, greater collaboration has helped lessened the alienation Aboriginal peoplesoften felt when the first parks or national historic sites were created without their presence. New parks such as the Torngat Mountains National Park of Canada, newmarine conservation areas such as Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area

Reserve and Haida Heritage Site of Canada, and new national historic sites such asSahoyúé-§ehdacho National Historic Site of Canada were created in collaboration withAboriginal communities who requested that these lands be set aside for protection. Thisled to the creation of a number of national protected area reserves where land claims arestill being negotiated and where Aboriginal involvement will help create the landscape.

QUOTE : "I remember as a child how beautiful, strong and refreshing it was, the feelingof living beside the lake. My family knew how to travel the land in any season and howto read the weather to have a safe journey. For the Anishinaabe, the land is where wegrew up, where we experienced a sense of belonging- it was our home. Although it is anational park, Pukaskwa is still a home to us". - Collette Goodchild, Elder, Pic River First

Nation

Healing and Reconciliation

1



Jasper National Park of Canada and Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation ReconciliationCeremony.

First row L-R: Theodore Kyme, Bernice Bull, Ruth Mustus, Julian Kootenay, PhyllisMustus, Sherrill Meropoulis, Greg Fenton, Elisabeth Kootenay, Mike Dillon.

Second row, L-R: Gladys Kyme, Percy Potts, Orlando Alexis, Arthur Bruno, SophieBruno, Tammy Many Grey Horses, Kelton Mustus, Howard Mustus Jr, Mariah Thunder,

Don Kootenay.Third row L-R: Howard Mustus Sr, Gilbert Potts, Janet Adams. Top: Lyndon Agina© Parks Canada / Greg Deagle

At Jasper National Park of Canada, Aboriginal peoples had noticeably been absent fromthe landscape since the park’s creation in 1907. Not permitted to carry out a traditionallifestyle, they were forced to leave the park, bringing with them their stories, their cultural traditions and their intimate knowledge of the area. It has taken over a century for Parks Canada and Aboriginal peoples to come to terms with that history of dispossessionand to take steps to reconcile with the past. For some, reconciliation has required formalceremonies, sweat lodges, songs, offerings and prayers of forgiveness that have allowed

both the park and the communities to join together again. For others, renewed trust hasdeveloped from the Jasper Aboriginal Forum1 created in a spirit of healing andreconciliation. The forum is helping to reintegrate dialogue, sharing and gathering of allIndigenous peoples with past links to the park.

Shauna Strand (Champagne and Aishihik First Nation) and Elder Lena Johnson (KluaneFirst Nation) working on hide, Megan McConnell (Champagne and Aishihik First

Nation) in background© Champagne and Aishihik First Nations

2

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/agen/aa/te-wt/chap01.aspx#chap01-1




In the Yukon’s Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canada, the Southern Tutchone people were effectively pushed out when the area was turned into a game sanctuary in1943. While the hunting and trapping ban was lifted for Aboriginal peoples in 1976,many stayed away out of fear of reprisal. It took until 1993 for the Champagne andAishihik First Nations, and 2003 for the Kluane First Nation, to be allowed to resume

traditional harvesting. While signed agreements provide the legal framework for culturalreintegration, decades of alienation require additional efforts.

Healing Broken Connections2 is a multi-year project organized with both of these First Nations to encourage reconnection to their traditionally used territories through the participation of elders and youth in culture camps and science camps. It supported their efforts to collect, stabilize and store their knowledge about the park and use it to improvethe park’s management and ecological integrity. Having First Nation partners who arewilling and keen to work with and support Kluane National Park and Reserve of Canadahas resulted in unprecedented levels of involvement and cooperation.

Quote: "In years to come we will look back on the early years of implementing our LandClaim Agreements and amid the struggles and growing pains, we will also smile upon thetriumphs and the foundations that were laid with a sense of pride and achievement. Whenco management of our lands is the ‘”norm”, when culture and traditional history is anessential and integral part of land management, when our people have walked every partof this Park again, we will look back at Healing Broken Connections and be filled withthe awesome power of Kluane because the most important parts of reconnecting with our lands; the human element, the relationships, the stewardship and the respect for our landand its living creatures will have been championed by projects like this." - Chief andCouncil of Kluane First Nation

Sharing Aboriginal Stories and Cultures

Raj Anderson playing the fiddle at the Church in Batoche National Historic Site of Canada

© Parks Canada

In Saskatchewan, Batoche National Historic Site of Canada, which includes remnants of a village, farmland and the 1885 battleground, is considered the heart and soul of theMétis Nation and a symbol of hope, renewal and reconnection for all Métis people.However, the Métis had largely disassociated from Batoche after it became an historic

3





site in 1923. Its federal administration seemed distant to the community.

The Batoche National Historic Site and Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI)

Partnership4 now has staff collaborating with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and

GDI (a Saskatchewan organization assisting in Métis training, education andemployment) to restore ties. Since 1996, they have worked together to hire unemployedor under-employed Métis to provide them with training in heritage presentation and assetmanagement. Staff and GDI Publishing have enhanced the site’s programming since2005 with several cultural events. A “living history” in Albert Caron’s home givesvisitors a chance to hear Métis stories and learn some of the Michif language from elders.The "Métis Women’s History of Resistance and Survival: Stories of Tourond’s coulee /Fish Creek and Batoche" is a community storytelling sharing circle and recording thathonours the forgotten and untold stories of Métis women and children.

Government of Canada supports Métis history and

culture through funding of Métis projects

Parks Canada working with Métis groups in western and northern Canada to

preserve and celebrate their rich heritage

Winnipeg, Manitoba, June 28, 2011 -- On behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent,Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. RodBruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, today announced $4.25 million

for the creation of 18 projects that will help Métis communities preserve their history andculture as well as present their rich heritage to all Canadians.This announcement was made at Riel House National Historic Site, a site of greatimportance to the Métis in Manitoba.

“These projects will significantly contribute to the preservation, awareness and promotion of Métis history and culture. In funding these projects, we are recognizing andcelebrating the invaluable contributions of the Métis people across Canada,” said Mr.Bruinooge. “Our government is committed to building strong, effective and mutually beneficial working relationships with Métis and other Aboriginal groups so their storiescan be told and appreciated by all Canadians.”

This funding will not only allow Parks Canada to help local Métis communities andorganizations preserve their history and culture but will above all be used to further explore how Parks Canada and its Métis partners present their important role in Canada’shistory. Through public education programs carried out at national parks and nationalhistoric sites in Western and Northern Canada, Parks Canada will highlight how theMétis people have enriched the lives of all Canadians, socially, economically, politicallyand culturally.

4





Projects include:• The reconstruction of York Boats at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site(Manitoba);• The creation of a Riel House National Historic Site travelling exhibit for use at

community events across Manitoba;• The creation of interpretive programming and new exhibits to convey the importance of Métis at Fort St. James National Historic Site (British Columbia);• The creation of an art exhibit at Batoche National Historic Site (Saskatchewan), and;• A Métis camping experience at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site(Alberta).

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Environment Canada, and theRoyal Canadian Mounted Police are also part of the strategy to implement programsrelated to the reconciliation and management of Métis Aboriginal rights.

Parks Canada is looking forward to working with the Métis communities andorganizations on these projects to increase awareness of their history and rich culture andis confident that by joining forces, mutually rewarding and valuable ongoingrelationships will be formed.

For additional information on this announcement, including descriptions of the projects, please see the accompanying backgrounder at www.parkscanada.gc.ca under MediaRoom.

-30-

News Releases and BackgroundersBackgrounder

Parks Canada works with Métis groups in western and

northern Canada to preserve and celebrate their rich

heritage

Parks Canada is committed to increasing awareness of Métis history and culture and

building strong, effective and mutually beneficial working relationships with Métis andother Aboriginal groups. Through partnerships with Aboriginal peoples, the rich anddiverse cultures of Canada’s earliest communities, still vibrant today, are beingexperienced and appreciated by all Canadians.

This funding of $4.25 million over 5 years allows Parks Canada to work with Métiscommunities and organizations to implement approximately 18 projects that celebrateMétis history and culture while at the same time build on our ongoing relationships with

5



Métis communities. They also help preserve Métis history and culture and increaseCanadians’ awareness of this important aspect of our heritage through public education programs at these national parks and national historic sites in western and northernCanada.

Description of projects

Project Name: A Métis Welcome: Heritage CampingLocation: Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, AlbertaTotal Project Cost: $350,000Project Description: The objective of this project is to develop an authentic, culturallyrich, professionally presented and sustainable Métis camping experience along the banksof the North Saskatchewan River. This program will be led by the Métis local 845 andwill be the flagship camping offer at Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site.

Project Name: Rocky Mountain House Métis Working Group

Location: Rocky Mountain National Historic Site, AlbertaTotal Project Cost: $45,000Project Description: Parks Canada is working with Métis Associations to establishrelationships with Aboriginal communities who have a historic or current connection tothe land and heritage of Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. This workinggroup will enable Parks Canada to offer a more pluralistic visitor experience andeducational programs.

Project Name: Métis of the Upper Athabasca ValleyLocation: Jasper National Park, AlbertaTotal Project Cost: $541,100Project Description: The objective of this project is to proactively enhance therelationship between the park and the Métis who have historic ties to the area through a program of activities.

Project Name: The Métis in New CaledoniaLocation: Fort St. James National Historic Site, British ColumbiaTotal Project Cost: $90,000Project Description: To convey the importance of Métis in the history of Fort St. Jamesthrough a two-fold project: the integration of Métis objects and interpretive programminginto the site’s historic buildings, and a new exhibit component at the visitor centre tocomplement existing displays.

Project Name: Battle of Seven Oaks - The Telling of Two StoriesLocation: Battle of Seven Oaks National Historic Site, ManitobaTotal Project Cost: $25,000Project Description: To work with a coalition group called The Battle of Seven OaksMonument Committee to undertake a project to interpret the Battle of Seven Oaks.

Project Name: Building a York Boat

6



Location: Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, ManitobaTotal Project Cost: $210,000Project Description: Parks Canada will work with local and provincial Métiscommunities to reconstruct and operate York Boats for interpretive purposes.

Project Name: Material Culture Lower Red River Métis CommunitiesLocation: Lower Fort Gary National Historic Site, ManitobaTotal Project Cost: $120,000Project Description: To produce and implement a furnishing plan for Lower Fort Gary National Historic Site that is more reflective of the material culture of the Lower RedRiver area (note this area was overwhelmingly Métis in the mid-nineteenth century) thanthe current furnishing, which was collected through auctions along the east coast in themid 1960’s.

Project Name: Métis River Lot Management & InterpretationLocation: Riel House National Historic Site, Manitoba

Total Project Cost: $50,000Project Description: The funding is being used to create interactive, innovativeinterpretive products that will be used on-site at Riel House and for outreach initiatives as part of the Riel House Travelling Exhibit, which explains and explores the Métis River Lot settlement pattern and Métis agriculture and land use from the 1880’s.

Project Name: Riel House Travelling ExhibitLocation: ManitobaTotal Project Cost: $100,000Project Description: To create a portable, interactive traveling exhibit with accompanyingtheme-based modular kits that communicate the unique Métis stories related to RielHouse National Historic Site through partnership with the Métis community of Winnipeg.Once created the exhibit will be displayed at key Manitoba community events and willfoster and broaden the sense of awareness, understanding, and pride to both Métis andother Canadians.

Project Name: Aboriginal Programming at Variety Heritage Adventure Park Location: The Forks National Historic Site, ManitobaTotal Project Cost: $200,000Project Description: To research, design, develop, and deliver a series of unique andengaging interpretive programs over the next five years that share, illustrate, and describethe Métis stories of The Forks National Historic Site in partnership with the Métiscommunity.

Project Name: Métis Working GroupLocation: Riding Mountain National Park, ManitobaTotal Project Cost: $110,000Project Description: To establish a Métis advisory group to work on issues of commoninterest and, if feasible, in cooperation with the Manitoba Field Unit.

7



Project Name: Batoche Opening ExhibitLocation: Batoche National Historic Site, SaskatchewanTotal Project Cost: $55,000Project Description: The primary objectives of the art exhibit at Batoche’s Visitor Reception Centre is to develop a stronger relationship with the Métis community and

Métis artists by celebrating their art and culture and to engage Métis community in thecelebrations surrounding the re-opening of the Visitor Reception Centre.

Project Name: Relationship Building with the Métis Nation of SaskatchewanLocation: Fort Battleford, Fort Walsh, and Batoche national historic sites and Grasslands National Park, SaskatchewanTotal Project Cost: $185,000Project Description: Parks Canada is working with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan totell their stories at Fort Battleford, Fort Walsh, and Batoche National Historic Sites, andGrasslands National Park. Together they will develop interpretive and outreach productsfor target audiences.

Project Name: Battle of Tourond's Coulee/Fish Creek Location: Tourond’s Coulee/ Fish Creek National Historic Site, SaskatchewanTotal Project Cost: $43,000Project Description: Parks Canada is working with the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan andother Métis stakeholders to protect and present the Battle of Tourond’s Coulee/ FishCreek National Historic Site by creating on-site opportunities for meaningful andmemorable visitor experiences.

Project Name: The Role at Fort Walsh/Cypress Hills Massacre National Historic SiteLocation: Cypress Hills National Historic Site, SaskatchewanTotal Project Cost: $165,000Project Description: This project will allow Métis people to present their perspective onthe tragic events that took place at Cypress Hills National Historic Site. Pedestrian accesswill be provided along the river Valley between the ruins of the Métis Village north of the palisades and the Cypress Hills Massacre site and trading area south of the palisades.

Project Name: Wood Buffalo National Park Cooperative ManagementLocation: Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta and Northwest TerritoriesTotal Project Cost: $1,070,000Project Description: With membership from the four Métis communities around WoodBuffalo National Park and local First Nations communities, Parks Canada is establishinga planning regime to move toward Aboriginal cooperative management.

Project Name: Métis Reconciliation Multimedia Capture ProgramLocation: Locations across Western and Northern CanadaTotal Project Cost: $500,000Project Description: The objective of this initiative is to create a multimedia record of Parks Canada’s progress as it forges stronger relationships with Métis communities byworking on 20 or more projects underway across Canada. This will allow Parks Canada

8



to share its successes and record best practices in sharing Métis cultural history and building on achievements in cooperative co-management.

Project Name: Métis Collections and Research ToolsLocation: Parks Canada, Winnipeg

Total Project Cost: $215,000Project Description: Parks Canada’s Western and Northern Service Centre, which housesdiverse collections of archaeological artifacts, historical objects, photographs andresearch manuscripts related to Métis history, will create new products that will provideinformation and support for the proposed Parks Canada Métis projects.

These projects are:• A digital, interactive finding aid and guide to Métis information and resources whichwill include an introduction and annotations on relevant publications, archivalcollections, and Métis organizations.• A web-based interactive tool presenting the diverse Métis-related resources housed at

the Parks Canada’s Western and Northern Service Centre.• A travelling media exhibit showcasing Parks Canada’s western and northern Métiscollections for use in outreach and on-site interpretation program.

-30-

9

metis reconciliation projects

Documents