The Lil’wat Nation, in partnership with N’Quatqua and BC Parks, has announced scheduled closures of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park throughout the summer to help conserve the area’s cultural and natural resources.
The announcement was made in a joint statement with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation on April 25.
Joffre Lakes, also recognized by its Indigenous name ‘Pipi7íyekew,’ has become increasingly popular, with visitor numbers reaching 196,300 in 2019, a significant rise of 222% since 2010. This surge has prompted a collaborative management approach to ensure the sustainability of the park’s unique environment and cultural values.
The closures are planned to coincide with key cultural activities and environmental conservation periods. The park will be closed from April 30 to May 15 to facilitate Indigenous-led cultural celebrations, including the Stl’atl’imx Days which celebrate the 1911 Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe.
The park will close from June 14 to 23 during the summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples Day, and from September 3 to October 6 to support Indigenous fall harvesting practices and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Outside of these periods, the park will remain open to the public from May 16. To manage the influx of visitors and minimize environmental impact, BC Parks will continue its free day-use pass program, initiated in 2020. This system not only regulates visitor numbers but also enhances the visitor experience by reducing trail congestion.
Each day, 500 free day-use passes will be available, and 26 tent pads will be offered for overnight stays. Visitors can reserve day passes starting at 7 a.m., two days before their planned visit, while camping reservations can be made up to four months in advance.
Chief Dean Nelson of Lil’wat Nation highlighted the significance of these closures in reconnecting the community with their ancestral land. He stated that the closures would allow Lil’wat citizens to practice their inherent rights and reconnect with the land, crucial steps towards cultural revitalization and sustainability.
“By implementing these closures, we are striving to reintroduce our community to an area where they have been marginalized. The time and space created by these closures will allow our youth, elders and all Lil’wat citizens to practise their inherent rights while reconnecting with the land,” Nelson added.
Minister George Heyman of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy acknowledged the challenges posed by increased tourism and expressed appreciation for the cooperative efforts in managing the park’s environmental pressures. He emphasized the importance of balancing visitor access with the preservation of the land’s cultural and ecological integrity.
As per a Pique News Magazine report, Chief Micah of N’Quatqua underscored the importance of stewardship, inherited from ancestors, in maintaining the land’s pristine condition for future generations. The planned closures, according to Chief Micah, are vital for giving the land time to rejuvenate and ensuring its continued beauty for visitors worldwide.
The strategic closures reflect a broader commitment by the provincial government and the First Nations to uphold the principles of the Visitor Use Management Strategy. This approach aims not only to manage the park’s ecological footprint but also to honor and integrate the cultural heritage of the First Nations into the contemporary management and use of these lands.
Through these measures, the Lil’wat Nation, N’Quatqua, and BC Parks aim to safeguard the enduring legacy of Joffre Lakes, ensuring that it remains a source of natural beauty and cultural significance for generations to come.