Respecting Okanagan First Nations Rights and Title
Flammulated Owl Photo by Dick Cannings
British Columbia’s Okanagan First Nations have occupied the valley for many thousands of years. As most BC residents are aware issues of aboriginal rights and titles to most of our province have yet to be resolved. Any establishment of a national park reserve must have the full co-operation of the Okanagan First Nations – in all aspects of the feasibility process. A respectful process honouring the rich cultural heritage on the traditional lands of the southern Okanagan First Nations is paramount for a successful national park reserve.
A national park reserve guarantees the rights of First Nations to continue subsistence hunting and gathering within park lands. In addition, the reason it is classified as a “park reserve” instead of simply a “park” is that First Nations land settlements are still pending on those lands. A national park reserve is legally defined so as not to be prejudicial against future First Nations land settlements. A park reserve would in fact help to keep natural resources intact until land claims are settled. The federal government should also undertake conservation financing initiatives with interested local First Nations, to ensure that they benefit economically from the park reserve and so that it incorporates significant education programs about First Nations traditional cultures and land-uses.
