A signed co-management agreement between the Mi'kmaq First Nations of Prince Edward Island and Parks Canada is being celebrated as a significant milestone toward greater self-governance and reconciliation. On October 1st, this pivotal agreement was formalized at the P.E.I. National Park, marking the recognition of Mi'kmaq inclusion and stewardship over lands historically connected to their culture.
The agreement ensures Mi'kmaq communities will actively participate in the management of not only the P.E.I. National Park but also historic sites throughout the province. This park encompasses iconic areas such as Cavendish, Brackley, and Greenwich beaches, all of which have deep historical significance to Indigenous people—land they've utilized for thousands of years.
Among the designated sites is Province House, the historic seat of the provincial legislature. By entering this agreement, the Mi'kmaq will have co-management authority over approximately 7,000 acres of protected land. Tracey Cutcliffe, senior negotiator for L'nuey, the organization representing Mi'kmaq interests on the island, highlighted the importance of this step, stating, "The Mi'kmaq are effectively sitting at a governance table for upwards of 7,000 acres of really important, protected lands. That is a significant step in the journeys toward reclaiming their role as self-governing nations."
Darlene Bernard, chief of the Lennox Island First Nation, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity for the Mi'kmaq to hold stewardship over Crown land and the new Pituamkek National Park Reserve. Addressing concerns from the community about access to these sites, she assured local residents, "I know some people were a little bit worried about… what does it mean? We're not going to be able to go there. No, that's not what it means. You're probably going to have even easier access to the park once we get it established and things are all up and running."
This day was also significant as the agreement announcement fell on Treaty Day, which already holds great value for the Mi'kmaq people. On this occasion, the public and representatives from both Parks Canada and the Mi'kmaq celebrated the official signing together.
Karolen Jans, the field unit superintendent for Parks Canada on P.E.I., discussed the efforts already underway to incorporate Mi'kmaq cultural elements within the parks. She reassured visitors to expect familiar management practices, saying, "Visitors shouldn't notice many big changes because they've already been working to have visible Mi'kmaw representation through signage and place names." She described the relationship as important, and expressed enthusiasm about what the future holds, proclaiming, "We've been incredibly privileged… to have an extraordinary relationship with the First Nations. Everyone involved feels humbled by it but, very much excited about what it means for the future."
Moving forward, the agreement aims not only to preserve natural landscapes but also to promote traditional Mi'kmaq knowledge and respect for the environment. Mi'kmaq signage will increasingly be featured alongside English and French, representing the distinct cultural heritage of the island.
This agreement aligns with Canada’s broader efforts to acknowledge and implement Indigenous rights as part of the reconciliation process. The road to self-governance is complex, and this partnership shows promise for fostering meaningful cooperation and shared stewardship of one of Canada’s treasured national parks.
