Course:CONS200/2024WT1/Conservation and settler colonialism in Jasper National Park: An overview of past and present practices regarding Indigenous representation

Introduction

Jasper National Park, located in the Canadian Rockies is one of Canada's most iconic landscapes. Known for its pristine stunning sceneries and rich biodiversity, Jasper stands out as one of Canada's most famous National Parks. However, beneath its pristine image and postcard perfect landscapes lies a complex history of fortress conservation and settler colonialism.

The creation and establishment of Jasper National Park in 1907 marked the beginning of a system of policies that displaced Indigenous peoples from their traditional lands and excluded their representation and story. This reflects common patterns of settler colonialism across North America, where conservation efforts often excluded or marginalized Indigenous communities. A key driver of these actions is the wilderness paradigm, which perpetuates wilderness as a space devoid of inhabitants. This paradigm continues to affect modern conservation efforts, as Indigenous representation within the parks remains tokenized, and Indigenous voices in decision-making remain limited.

Future efforts at reconciliation must include the acknowledgement of Indigenous histories and relationship to the land, as well as the ongoing co- management of lands with Indigenous leaders. In addition, efforts to include traditional ecological knowledge and Indigenous leadership must shape future conservation plans.

History and Establishment of Jasper National Park

Initial Establishment

Early establishment of Jasper National Park

Established in 1907 as the Jasper Forest Park Reserve, it officially became a National Park in 1930. Creation of the Park was motivated by economic gains to protect land for tourism rather than for conservation and ecological protection. This is due to the railway companies who controlled tourism to and within the parks and therefore had a major influence over the marketing of the parks. This led to perpetuation of the notion that parks, including Jasper, were previously uninhabited, empty landscapes when in reality Indigenous peoples had been living on and stewarding the land for millennia prior. Furthermore, indigenous communities were forcibly removed from their traditional territories to promote the idea of the “pristine wilderness” with their traditional practices later being deemed illegal.

Supreme Court Ruling

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in 2004 that the government is legally required to consult and accommodate the current and potential land title claims of indigenous peoples in the creation of National Parks. A key caveat in this is that this was ruled on the basis that the federal government holds the power over giving and taking away the rights of indigenous peoples. Within the broader Rocky Mountain National Park system there are multiple land title claim disputes founded over this caveat.

Ties to Present Day Jasper National Park

Overall, there is a representation based on a romanticization of colonial expansion that has historically been the dominant narrative in the creation of National Parks, including Jasper National Park, in Canada and is representative of a larger systemic issue. And while there has been strides towards Truth and Reconciliation in Canada in recent years, there needs to be a simultaneous confrontation and reimagination of the current and ongoing alienation of indigenous peoples from their lands which leaves the door open for capitalistic gains.  

Past and Current Indigenous Representation

Indigenous Representation within the Park

Jasper National Park has long perpetuated the concept of the wilderness as a space outside of culture. Colonial management systems completely erased Indigenous culture and histories from the park, and until recently, Indigenous representation was non-existent. Although there are now attempts to incorporate Indigenous histories into the park, these efforts remain insufficient. Signage and educational materials within the park are still predominantly Eurocentric, showing a lack of meaningful Indigenous consultation and involvement in their creation. 

Aboriginal Forum

As part of ongoing reconciliation efforts, the Aboriginal Forum was created in 2006, where Indigenous communities can send representatives to discuss issues. Despite its potential, the forum has been critiqued for lacking meaningful influence, and only reinforcing colonial power dynamics. Most co management boards associated with the forum only have advisory status, making it difficult for Indigenous representatives to change or pass legislation. A representative from the Confederation of Treaty Six Nations expressed his frustrations stating, “We were there for appearances. We weren't there with a legitimate voice to be considered”. He discovered quickly that the agendas for these meetings were facilitated in the interest of the parks board, finding that “we have to speak on their terms or we don't speak at all.”. This dynamic shows the challenges of creating spaces for equitable collaboration, and highlights the need for more substantial institutional reforms.

Impacts of Wilderness Paradigm

One of the most iconic features of Jasper National Park, Athabasca glacier. A popular image and one lacking human presence

History of National Parks through the Wilderness perspective

The myth of wilderness has been a point of contention throughout the history of conservation. William Cronon examines this perspective and describes how it has been used to separate natural landscapes from humans. The “wilderness” is seen as devoid of human influence which perpetuates a dichotomous worldview. This concept was a driving force among colonial governments in the establishment of early national parks such as Yellowstone in 1872. These parks were designed to retain nature completely untouched by humans. The Wilderness perspective is problematic for many reasons. It has been used as a form of domination against indigenous people and has furthered short-sighted management decisions. By viewing humans and nature as separate, the responsibility for sustainable stewardship is removed.

Canada’s approach to conservation was also shaped by the Wilderness angle. In the late 1800s, national parks were another tool of settler colonialism. Indigenous people who had lived on the land for generations were ousted due to fortress methods of conservation Their presence on the land directly clashed with the views of nature being untouched by humans. In Jasper, indigenous people were forcibly removed from their land in order to create a national park. They primarily lived off the land, and traditional subsistence methods were demonized because they were deemed harmful to conservation. The Wilderness perspective was used to justify the seizure of land with a colonial government in control.

Since the foundation, industry and popularity of the park increased exponentially, with people coming from all over the world in search of a touristic experience of nature. Throughout the history of the Jasper National Park, the Canadian government has made efforts to maintain the image of Wilderness. One such example has been restoration projects in high-traffic areas involving the replanting of native vegetation. Here the government has attempted to maintain the image of nature as pristine and untouched despite the reality of thousands of visitors changing the landscape. The human impact on ecosystems is ignored, perpetuating the myth of Wilderness. Economic interests have asserted a separation between humans and nature in order to market Jasper National Park as a touristic experience of pristine and untouched nature.

Wilderness Paradigm in Contemporary Conservation

This legacy of settler colonialism is deeply rooted in the history of Jasper National Park. The Canadian government has made steps towards reconciliation with the creation of the Jasper Aboriginal Forum in 2006. However, many indigenous leaders have criticized this forum for lacking any influence in the management of the park. Indigenous people are still lacking meaningful control or sovereignty in their lands. The lack of representation in management of the national park further demonstrates the dominant settler presence. The Wilderness perspective has been extremely impactful in the history, management, and makeup of Jasper National Park.

The impacts of the Wilderness paradigm can be felt in Jasper today. The majority of industry and tourism in Jasper is controlled by the Canadian government, and the park has continued to be marketed as a pristine natural landscape, untouched by humans. Management decisions are made to protect this image. In tourist areas, the landscape is maintained through tree cutting and planting, vegetation upkeep, path building to cultivate a specific aesthetic of Wilderness. The legacy of this perspective has shaped the identity of Jasper National Park. It has been marketed as an escape to pristine nature which further perpetuates dualism between humans and nature. The roles of indigenous people have been largely ignored because of their clash with the concept of Wilderness. Traditional practices such as hunting, trapping, and harvesting are strictly regulated as Jasper conservationists view these practices as destructive towards the national park ecosystems. This prohibition of indigenous subsistence systems is a stance that has persisted since the inception of the park. The Canadian government has maintained a strong control of the area and has turned Jasper into an extremely profitable tourist destination.

The Wilderness perspective is one that has exerted an enormous amount of influence in the Jasper area. It has furthered the dichotomous belief that people and nature are separate, and that nature is pristine and free of human influence. It has long been used as a method of control and colonization of the Jasper area. These views were present during the foundation of the park and are strongly tied to its current existence and management operations.

Current and Future Solutions

Reconciliation and Indigenous Engagement

Parks Canada and Jasper National Park have taken foundational steps to dismantle the exclusionary system of colonial management, addressing the historical injustices caused by the establishment of the park by collaborating with Indigenous partners and their various Forums and Councils established in recent decades. These efforts have a strong focus on reconciliation, restoration of cultural connections, and ensuring Indigenous voices are included in park management and decision-making.

Acknowledging Indigenous Histories and Relationships to the Land

Map of Canada with Numbered Treaties.

Jasper National Park is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinabe, Aseniwuche Winewak, Dene-zaa, Nêhiyawak, Secwépemc, Stoney Nakoda, Mountain Métis and Métis, and through historical colonial relations, the lands of Crown Treaties 6 and 8. The 11 Numbered Treaties were Post-Confederation "agreements" between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian Government which entailed exchange of land rights for promised benefits and special rights that often were not upheld. The existence of the Treaties and their infringements are recognized by Parks Canada and the federal government playing vital roles in legal reconciliation efforts today, representing commitments to uphold Indigenous sovereignty and rights.

Indigenous Partnerships

Timeline

95 years after the removal of Indigenous peoples from what was then Jasper Forest Park, and 75 years after the establishment of Jasper National Park under the National Parks Act, The Jasper Indigenous Forum (JIF) was established in 2005. The creation of this collaborative initiative was driven by Indigenous communities seeking to strengthen their connection to their traditional territories, enhance their influence over park decisions through improved communication with park officials and engage in conservation and economic activities. The JIF is made up of park staff, managers, and representatives from over 20 Indigenous groups with traditional ties to the park.

The Forum hosts biannual meetings and working groups to address specific projects, with its objectives aligning with the Jasper National Park 2010 Management Plan, involving Indigenous communities in conservation efforts, such as monitoring caribou habitats and ensuring ecological integrity.

The partnership highlights the importance of Indigenous voices in land stewardship and cultural representation. However, meaningful action and shared decision-making are essential to achieving reconciliation and respecting the cultural and historical significance of Indigenous peoples in Jasper National Park.

Cultural Use Area and Indigenous Programming, Art and Representation

In 2008 the Indigenous Cultural Interpretation Program was developed followed by the establishment of the Indigenous Cultural Use Area in 2012. These efforts opened spaces back up where Indigenous partners can conduct traditional practices such as ceremonies and harvesting. Additionally, cultural programming allows for Indigenous stories and knowledge to be a part of the park experience for visitors, fostering greater understanding and respect. The Indigenous mural project and the Jasper Indigenous Exhibit represent initiatives that celebrate Indigenous culture and their relationship with the land honoring Mother Earth and traditional worldviews, creating visible reminders of the ongoing presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Future Solutions: Toward Reconciliation and Co-Management

Less than 5% of protected areas are governed by Indigenous peoples worldwide, with only 3% in Canada having co-management structures despite abundant evidence of positive impacts from local community and Indigenous stewardship and management with some of the highest indexes of biodiversity on their managed lands. The Indigenous Circle of Experts or ICE, formed in 2017 to offer guidance on achieving Canada Target 1 from “2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada.”, along with future recommendations for park management from various studies on the integration of Indigenous knowledge in protected areas conclude future solutions in Jasper National Park focus on advancing reconciliation through co-management, cultural restoration, and education. Transitioning from consultation to shared governance would empower Indigenous communities with equal decision-making authority, aligning with Canada’s reconciliation goals and the principles of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). Expanding economic opportunities in tourism, employment, and cultural enterprises ensures mutual benefits while respecting Indigenous values.

Restoring traditional ecological knowledge in conservation plans, such as controlled burns and sustainable harvesting, promotes ecosystem balance and resilience. Efforts to protect Métis homestead sites and reclaim Indigenous place names further decolonize the landscape and honor cultural heritage. Enhanced visitor education programs will highlight Indigenous histories and the impacts of colonial conservation, fostering understanding and support for reconciliation. Together, these measures aim to restore Indigenous connections to the land while shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for Jasper National Park.

Conclusion

The history of most if not all Canadian parks is deeply intertwined with colonial practices that excluded Indigenous peoples from their traditional territories and erased their cultural presence and Jasper National Park is no exception. Despite these injustices, steps toward reconciliation and collaboration have been taken in recent decades, fostering opportunities for Indigenous communities to reconnect with the land, share their knowledge, and shape the park's future.

Efforts such as the Jasper Indigenous Forum, Jasper Indigenous Exhibit, and the further integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge represent important strides in addressing historical wrongs and enhancing Indigenous representation. However, true reconciliation requires more than symbolic gestures—it calls for shared governance, meaningful economic participation, and acknowledgment of Indigenous sovereignty.

By transitioning to co-management structures, restoring cultural heritage, and fostering educational initiatives, Jasper National Park has the potential to be a model of inclusive conservation. These actions not only support biodiversity and ecological resilience but also honor the enduring relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land.