2 First Nations 'shutting down' Joffre Lakes access for more than a month to allow for harvest celebrations

The Líl̓wat Nation and N'Quatqua First Nation are "shutting down" access to one of the most popular parks in B.C. for more than a month, according to a statement Wednesday from the nations.

The two First Nations say the closure of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, known as Pipi7iyekw, will allow for a harvest celebration on their shared and overlapping traditional territories.

The park will re-open on National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30, according to the nations.

"(We) are asserting our Title and Rights to our shared unceded territory to take this time to harvest and gather our resources within our territories," said a statement signed by chiefs Kukwpi Skalúlmecw Dean Nelson and Kukwpi Micah Thevarge. 

"We are asking you to help in honouring us by providing us with sufficient time and space that we require to conduct our Nt'akmen (our ways) within our lands."

The decision is a reflection of the First Nations' rights to steward their own lands and territories as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Canada's Constitution Act and upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Tsilqot'in decision, according to the letter.

According to the 2014 decision, Aboriginal title confers "the right to decide how land will be used ... and the right to pro-actively use and manage the land."

Ensuring community access for food sustenance and traditional use activities is also a key tenet of the Nations' visitor use management strategy and action plan for the park, which was developed jointly with the province in 2019 and 2021.

"These lands have been used and occupied by the Líl̓wat and N'Quatqua since time immemorial," said the statement.

Skyrocketing visitors to Joffre Lakes led the province to implement a free day-pass system in 2021. More than 196,000 people visited the park in 2019, more than triple the number of visitors in 2010.

"It's never been talked about"

Chief Nelson said the crowds have filled up the parking lots and left litter left behind in the park, limiting members of the Lil'wat Nation from spending time on the site. 

"A few years ago, anybody and everybody that wanted to be there was there. It was like a social media magnet," said Nelson. "We endured the traffic.

Nelson said prior to this decision, the Nation had requested meetings with B.C. Parks to discuss closures but were never granted a meeting. 

"We've been requesting, we need to have time there as well ... but it's never been granted. It's never been talked about," he said. 

Nelson said members of the nation will spend time on the land harvesting and hunting over the next month. 

In a written statement, B.C. Parks said it was recently made aware of "unanticipated circumstances" at the park. 

It said those with day passes for Friday and Saturday will not be able to access the park, and bookings for future dates are closed.  

It said it will cancel and refund all backcountry camping reservations for the weekend. 

"We recognize the impact that this has on people's plans on short notice. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate people's understanding," said the statement.