Past and Present
April 8, 2025 By: Victoria Hodgson
Walker, K. (2023). How indigenous conservation protects Canada’s environment. BBC News.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230809-how-indigenous-guardians-are-pr
Throughout Unit 3, I was challenged to consider what conservation truly means by reflecting on the famous conservationists, Roosevelt and Muir. Roosevelt’s approach aligned much more with me than Muir’s colonially coded advocacy for an “untouched wilderness”. Roosevelt’s argument to act responsibly in the management of natural resources so that future generations may still benefit from their availability is aligned with the intentions of ancestral Indigenous-led conservation. Indigenous people have been managing land through reciprocity and respect since time immemorial. This story highlights how Indigenous led conservation efforts not only support the health of the land, but also the health of Indigenous communities and the pursuit of national reconciliation.
Duong, K. (2024). The displacement of Indigenous Peoples for National parks :
EnvironbuzzTM Magazine. EnvironBuzz.
https://environbuzz.com/the-displacement-of-indigenous-peoples-for-national-parks/
Similarly, I was challenged to consider how the establishment of national parks has perpetuated the displacement of Indigenous peoples across what is now known as North America. While I align with Roosevelt’s intentions to protect natural resources, the push for a national parks system served the colonial interests in severing ties between Indigenous people and their relationship to land. The article explores this intricate history, specifically highlighting the creation of Banff and Jasper National Parks. Banff National Park was Canada’s first national park, established in 1885, displacing the Stoney Nakoda from their ancestral territory. Unfortunately, this is not the only story of Indigenous people being forcibly removed and barred from practicing their traditional activities within the park’s boundaries” (Duong, 2024, para.03).
I appreciate your second article. It’s important to remember that the establishment of national parks in North America often came at the cost of Indigenous displacement and the disruption of their deep connections to the land. The history of Banff and Jasper is a prime example of this; Yellowstone and many other parks also share a similar story.