BC Government has announced that Joffre Lakes Provincial Park will be closed until September 15.
“Over the past two weeks, we have had continued discussions with Lil’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations about access to Joffre Lakes Provincial Park,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Today, we have decided to keep the park closed until Sept. 15.”
Heyman said the additional week will allow for productive discussions to continue toward a collaborative resolution that supports reconciliation. “Our government’s goal is to find an agreement that will give space and privacy for cultural activities, while ensuring public access to the park in a responsible and sustainable manner.
“We thank the Nations for continuing these discussions with us. We acknowledge that this decision has an impact on people’s plans and are working hard to provide certainty for everyone through a mutually acceptable agreement.”
The Lilwat First Nations shut down the access to the park and asserted their rights on the land in a statement released on Aug. 24. The First Nations said they are asserting our Title and Right to our shared unceded territory to take this time to harvest and gather resources with their territories.
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