Highway Blockade Highlights Cultural Frustrations

In a powerful display of unity, members of the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua First Nations temporarily halted traffic on Highway 99 near Pemberton, B.C., on Friday. Their aim? To express outrage over the provincial government’s restrictive plan concerning the upcoming closure of Joffre Lakes Park.

Cultural Practices at Risk

Set to close from September 2 to October 3, Joffre Lakes Park—known as Pipi7iyekw in the languages of the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua Nations—will undergo a significant change to allow these nations time to carry out vital cultural and spiritual practices. However, the First Nations requested a two-month closure, which the province contradicted, insisting that a one-month duration strikes a balance between cultural integrity and public access.

Ignored Rights and Titles

Roxanne Joe, the Lands and Resources Coordinator for the Lil’wat Nation, criticized the government’s decision as a blatant disregard for their rights and titles to the territory. "They’re not honoring or hearing our voices," she stated, denouncing the action as profoundly disrespectful. This situation underscores a persistent issue, where First Nations voices remain sidelined in land use and recreational policies.

Government's Accountability in Question

Joe pointed out that this is not just about the current closure; historically, the park was established without proper consultation or permission from the Native nations whose traditional lands it occupies. The sentiment is echoed by Scott McInnes, the BC Conservative Opposition critic for indigenous relations, who argued that the government has mishandled the situation and failed to adhere to the principles outlined in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Finding Common Ground?

McInnes emphasized the urgent need for the province to collaborate with the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua to ensure both their constitutionally-protected rights and the public's access to the park are respected. As the area continues to attract a growing number of tourists—nearly 200,000 in 2019 alone, which represents a staggering 222 percent increase from nine years earlier—balancing preservation with public use has never been more critical.

History of Closures

The park has faced multiple closures throughout 2023, initially for three weeks starting April 25 and then for another two weeks in June. These attempts are part of an agreement reached in 2024 that aims to protect the park's natural ecology while allowing Indigenous groups essential time to engage with their cultural practices.

A Call for Respect and Recognition

As this vital discourse continues, the voices of the Lil’wat and N’Quatqua nations ring clear: their rights to their lands must be recognized and respected as part of any future discussions surrounding Joffre Lakes Park.