A signed agreement that gives Mi’kmaw communities co-management responsibilities for P.E.I. National Park and historic sites on Prince Edward Island is being hailed as a “significant step” toward self-governance and reconciliation.
The agreement formalizes a relationship between Parks Canada and the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq that has been in place for years, ensuring a shared commitment the land will be maintained in accordance with Indigenous rights and culture.
P.E.I. National Park is made up of land around Cavendish, Brackley and Greenwich beaches, including sites that have been in use by Indigenous people for millennia. Some of the national park sites include Province House, the historic seat of the provincial legislature.
Ministers signed off on the agreement in July, when it was announced that the Mi’kmaq would co-manage the new Pituamkek National Park Reserve, on a chain of islands off the province’s North Shore.
The parties used Treaty Day on Tuesday to make the announcement more public.
“The Mi’kmaq are effectively sitting at a governance table for upwards of 7,000 acres of really important, protected lands,” said Tracey Cutcliffe, a senior negotiator for L’nuey, a group representing Mi’kmaq living on P.E.I.
“That is a significant step in the journey towards reclaiming their role as self-governing nations that have been for eons here on Prince Edward Island.”
Darlene Bernard, chief of Lennon Island First Nation, said it’s important for the Mi’kmaq to have stewardship over Crown land, including the Pituamkek National Park Reserve.
Oct. 1 is Treaty Day, which officially recognizes the pact of peace, friendship and respect between the Mi’kmaq and the Crown. CBC’s Nicola MacLeod took in a ceremony in Charlottetown and spoke to Lennox Island First Nation Chief Darlene Bernard about the significance of the day.
“I know some people were a little bit worried about that, like ‘What does that mean? We’re not going to be able to go there.’ No, that’s not what it means. You’re probably going to have even better access to the park once we get it established and things are all up and running.”
Karen Jans, the field unit superintendent for Parks Canada on P.E.I., said visitors shouldn’t notice many big changes, because they’ve already been working to have a visible Mi’kmaw representation through signage, place names and the sharing of culture and beliefs.
What it does, she said, is solidify the “important” relationship with Mi’kmaq into the future.
“We’ve been incredibly privileged here in Prince Edward Island to have an extraordinary relationship with the First Nations, one that is — I think, you know, everybody involved, we feel humbled by it, but very much excited about what the future holds.”
