Parks Canada and the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council have launched the Blackfoot Guardianship of the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies project.
This program will be Siksikaitsitapi-led, with support from Parks Canada staff in Waterton Lakes National Park.
“As stewards of these ancestral lands, the Blackfoot Confederacy takes great pride in this opportunity to ensure the continued health and vitality of our environment,” said Jack Royal, chief executive officer of the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council.
“This project is not only a commitment to preserving the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Blackfoot territory but also a testament to the strength and resilience of the Blackfoot people. We look forward to a future where our lands thrive, protected by the watchful eyes of our guardians, for generations to come.”
Since 2017, Guardians initiatives have supported Indigenous rights and responsibilities in protecting and conserving ecosystems, developing and maintaining sustainable economies, and continuing the profound connections between natural landscapes and Indigenous cultures.
This program is the first of its kind in southern Alberta.
It will place dedicated Blackfoot Guardians on the ground to monitor, protect, and preserve sacred lands.
One area of focus will be Blackfoot bio-cultural indicator monitoring in the program area, including patrols along roadways and hiking trails.
The Guardians will also monitor lands, waters, fire and air with attention to human activities that are harmful to the environment.
Guardians will be operating along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in southwest Alberta, ranging from Waterton Lakes National Park in the south to the Livingstone Range area in the north.
They will share stories of the land and culture with park visitors in addition to being a presence on the landscape.
The project area’s lands and waters hold significant environmental and cultural value but face many challenges.
Growth in land disturbance, increased frequency and intensity of floods, fires, and droughts, and dwindling populations of culturally significant species are some of the threats faced within the region.
The Eastern Slopes Guardians program will combine Blackfoot traditional knowledge with western science to offer solutions to these issues.
“Blackfoot peoples have been stewards of the lands and waters in this region since time immemorial,” said Ron Hallman, president and chief executive officer of Parks Canada Agency.
“The (program) will offer solutions on climate change and biodiversity loss while safeguarding the natural spaces we all depend on. Parks Canada is pleased to support this initiative both in and around Waterton Lakes National Park.”
