Confrontation and Cooperation: The hidden history of national parks and indigenous groups in Canada

Abstract

This paper involves an analysis of histories of national parks in Canada, specifically the changing relationship between Parks Canada and Indigenous groups. A specific examination of the history of Banff National Park and Riding Mountain National Park demonstrates that the economics of sport hunting and tourism, not conservationism, was the major contributor to the creation of these parks. In addition, it highlights the ways in which Canadian national parks erased or coopted the legacies of Indigenous groups who previously inhabited the region. However, in examining attention to the recent moose culling in Cape Breton Highlands National Park one can see a shift in policy towards cooperation that allows Parks Canada to maintaining maintain national parks while simultaneously respecting the hunting rights of Indigenous groups. This would demonstrate a shift in official policy towards recognition of Indigenous rights and reconciliation for past injustices committed.