Indigenous connections

Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that recognizes and honours the historic and contemporary contributions of Indigenous peoples, their histories and cultures, as well as the special relationships Indigenous peoples have with ancestral lands, waters and ice.

Place names

Indigenous connections to ancestral lands, waters and ice are reinforced in many heritage places names.

Guardian and Watchmen programs

The Indigenous Guardians program supports Indigenous land management and stewardship in their territories based on a cultural responsibility for the land.

Indigenous leadership in conservation

Since time immemorial, Indigenous peoples have been nurturing a long-term relationship with ice, lands and waters, resulting in deep understandings of places and living systems.

Indigenous relations, stewardship and guidance

Strong relationships with Indigenous partners are essential to Parks Canada’s work and contribute to the process of reconciliation.

Sharing stories

Collaborating with Indigenous communities across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of these treasured places.

Strengthening the land and people in a changing climate

A windstorm at SG̱ang Gwaay Llnagaay became an opportunity to breathe Haida environmental and cultural stewardship into this landscape.

Bison conservation initiative

The recovery of the Plains Bison from near extinction is one of the great success stories of wildlife conservation in North America, achieved in collaboration with Indigenous partners.

Protecting and monitoring remote shipwrecks

Community members from Gjoa Haven help protect and monitor two shipwreck sites, integrating Inuit knowledge into site operations.

Working together

Parks Canada is committed to ensuring Indigenous connections are honoured, and Indigenous rights are respected.

Parks Canada collaborates with Indigenous communities and organizations in various programs and activities through the use and application of Indigenous approaches and Indigenous Knowledge systems in the management of heritage places.

Indigenous tourism experiences

Learn first-hand about First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures, traditions, and connections to the lands, water and ice. Listen to Indigenous voices share their stories, rich in history and culture.

Find an experience

Additional resources

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