Lesson 5: Canada's National Parks
Completion requirements
Unit 2
Natural Attractions
Lesson 5: Canada's National Parks
"Only after the last tree has been cut down, only after the last river has been poisoned, only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten." ~ Indigenous Proverb
National parks are a country-wide system representative of Canada's natural biodiversity and unique environment. Whether in the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic coasts, across the mountains, plains or Great Lakes, these 47 parks protect the local habitats, wildlife, and ecosystem diversity of the natural regions. This is the goal of Canada's national park system. By law, they are protected to offer public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment, while being maintained for future generations without compromising natural integrity. The parks have had important economic benefits to local communities and the tourism industry in Canada.
Take some time to review CBC's excellent interactive map showing the vast National Park system and details. Please note that since it was created in 2012, some of the information may have changed.
The first national park was located in Banff and was established in 1885. Eventually, in 1930, Canada's parliament passed the first National Parks Act to regulate the protection of the parks. Today, national parks of Canada are a source of pride for Canadians and are an integral part of our identity, celebrating the beauty and natural beauty of the country.
Indigenous Connections
Below are a few of the many amazing places for travellers to discover and interact with the living history of the Indigenous people of Canada.
Click on the coloured tab for more information about each National Park or Historic Region.
Unfortunately, the process of establishing National Parks has included the often forced displacement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents within the park boundaries and the implementation of restrictions on the hunting and other income-generating and culturally valuable activities of the Indigenous groups who used the region. Canada's National Parks have Indigenous stories to share. Nearly all of these sacred sites have been traditionally used by Indigenous people long before Canada was a country. The newer created parks, in the less frequently visited northern regions of Canada, included more consideration of Indigenous usage. As an example, initial restrictions on hunting to preserve the presence of wildlife in the parks were established. However, in 1984, after protests and political lobbying, Indigenous residents of Yukon's National's park set a precedent for inclusion of Indigenous interests and gave the Inuvialuit exclusive rights to hunt and harvest game within the park, giving them to the ability to provide for themselves through traditional fishing, hunting, and trapping. Through new parks policies and practices, Parks Canada has recognized Indigenous knowledge and their unique historical and cultural relationship with the lands.
Below are a few of the many amazing places for travellers to discover and interact with the living history of the Indigenous people of Canada.
Click on the coloured tab for more information about each National Park or Historic Region.
Unfortunately, the process of establishing National Parks has included the often forced displacement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents within the park boundaries and the implementation of restrictions on the hunting and other income-generating and culturally valuable activities of the Indigenous groups who used the region. Canada's National Parks have Indigenous stories to share. Nearly all of these sacred sites have been traditionally used by Indigenous people long before Canada was a country. The newer created parks, in the less frequently visited northern regions of Canada, included more consideration of Indigenous usage. As an example, initial restrictions on hunting to preserve the presence of wildlife in the parks were established. However, in 1984, after protests and political lobbying, Indigenous residents of Yukon's National's park set a precedent for inclusion of Indigenous interests and gave the Inuvialuit exclusive rights to hunt and harvest game within the park, giving them to the ability to provide for themselves through traditional fishing, hunting, and trapping. Through new parks policies and practices, Parks Canada has recognized Indigenous knowledge and their unique historical and cultural relationship with the lands.
Gwaii Haanas is a Haida phrase meaning "islands of beauty." With unparalleled biological richness, more than 600 archaeological sites and a cultural history dating back more than 12,000 years, this UNESCO World Heritage site, located in British Columbia, is home to two dozen cedar totem poles that represent family and clan crests. The totem poles were carved more than 100 years ago. This region is world-renowned for its cultural heritage and natural splendour.
Today the Haida remain closely tied to their land and waters, using the Gwaii Haanas area to harvest food. The Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada co-manage the park reserve since its establishment in 1988.
Today the Haida remain closely tied to their land and waters, using the Gwaii Haanas area to harvest food. The Council of the Haida Nation and the Government of Canada co-manage the park reserve since its establishment in 1988.
Ivvavik means "a place for giving birth," a nursery in the Inuvialuktun language. High in the northwest corner of Yukon, the Inuit of the Western Arctic live in the midst of indescribable beauty. The park protects a large portion of the calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd and represents the Northern Yukon and Mackenzie Delta natural regions. Ivvavik was the first Canadian national park created as the result of an individual land claim settlement signed in 1984. Ivvavik is a living cultural landscape on which Inuvialuit continue traditional practices, including subsistence harvesting.
Kejimkujik means "land of the little fairies" in the Mi'kmaq language. Kejimkujik, in Nova Scotia, has been a significant site for the Mi'kmaq for millennia. With its abundance of caribou, moose, and fish, the Kejimkujik area was an ideal place to camp, hunt, fish and gather. Today you can hike age-old pathways through towering groves of original growth forest and paddle ancient routes through interconnected lakes and rivers. There are more than 500 petroglyphs in the park which lend a voice to the lives of those who make their home in the area.
A visit to this national historic site, meaning "Grizzly Bear Mountain and Scented Grass Hills," brings unparalleled healing and great comfort. Two large peninsulas reaching into Great Bear Lake just off the Arctic Circle in the Northwest Territories are teaching and spiritual places essential to the cultural well-being of the local Sahtugot'ine First Nations people. Sacred Great Bear Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Canada and the ninth largest lake in the world, is a unique historical site abounding with culture, spiritual value, lifestyle and land use. The land is alive with stories, blending the natural and supernatural worlds, linking the people and the land.
Ukkusiksalik means "place to find stone to make pots" in Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit of Nunavut. Hundreds of archaeological sites show that the Ukkusiksalik National Park region has been a gathering spot for Inuit for over 3,000 years. Inuksuk, stone markers used by Inuit, are plentiful across the park landscape for wayfinding. Inuksuit, (plural of Inuksuk) are found along caribou herd trails serving as hunters' blinds. To experience a wonderful Arctic adventure, visitors are encouraged to travel to this spectacular landscape by boat with an experienced outfitter where they can safely observe the regions polar bears, abundant marine life, seals, belugas, or narwhals.
Meandering along the South Saskatchewan River, 19th century Métis settlers farmed along its banks. The community of Batoche follows the Carlton Trails' river cross, which was a primary overland trade route between Fort Edmonton and Fort Garry. The Métis in Batoche laid out their farms in distinctive long, narrow river lots so everyone had access to the rivers yet neighbours were still close by. Along with farming, the Métis lived principally by freighting, trading, and raising cattle. This region was the final battlefield of the Northwest Resistance of 1885, an uprising born of years of the Métis people feeling excluded from the growth and development of Western Canada.
In 1799, the Northwest Company established Rocky Mountain House at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where the North Saskatchewan the Clearwater rivers meet. Shortly after, The Hudson's Bay Company built a rival trading post. This site was long used by the Piikani First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy. The fur trade post brought international goods like tea, firearms, gunpowder, axes, glass beads, and copper pots to Indigenous peoples. First Nations, Métis, trappers, and traders all used the rivers like highways, transporting their goods to sell at the forts. For 76 years, Rocky Mountain House was the centre of commerce for the west. Today, tourists are welcomed to explore, hike, camp, and discover the region's challenges and triumphs.
