A partnership approach from BC Parks, Lil鈥檞at Nation and N鈥橯uatqua will see closures introduced for Joffre Lakes this summer. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Lil鈥檞at Nation and N鈥橯uatqua released a joint statement on April 25 detailing the new rules.
The First Nations and province said they want to strike a balance between supporting the growing number of visitors and 鈥渟ustainably conserving the natural and cultural values that make the land special."
The park, known as 鈥楶ipi7铆yekew,鈥� is collaboratively managed by Lil鈥檞at Nation and N鈥橯uatqua. They said the primary goal is maintaining the park鈥檚 natural environmental state. It will now be managed to protect Indigenous cultural values or nt鈥櫭men (our ways), resource protection and public safety. In 2019, the park reached an all-time high of 196,300 visitors, an increase of 222% since 2010. It has become one of busiest parks in the province.
Joffre Lakes and the wider Duffey corridor are a 鈥渂anquet place鈥� where minerals and plants can be gathered, berries harvested, animals such as mountain goat and deer hunted, mammals trapped, and fish caught. The 2024 operations plan for the park will give the First Nations time and space to exercise their rights. The park will continue to allow for day-use and camping this summer while making sure the area is protected for generations to come.
Closure dates include:
- April 30 until May 15, to support Indigenous-led cultural celebrations, including Stl鈥檃tl鈥檌mx Days, a celebration of the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe on May 10, 1911.
- June 14 to 23, to support summer solstice and Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
- Sept. 3 until Oct. 6, to support Indigenous fall harvesting practices and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Public access to the park begins May 16. BC Parks will continue the free, day-use pass program at Pipi7铆yekw/Joffre Lakes Park that began in 2020. Adults and youth, 12 and older, will need to reserve a free day-use pass to visit the park. The free passes ensure there is adequate and safe parking, and provide visitors a more enjoyable experience by reducing congested trails.
Five hundred free day-use passes will be up for grabs this summer, and 26 tent pads will be available each day. The day-use passes are available for reservation at 7 a.m., two days before a planned visit. Camping can be booked up to four months in advance of arrival.
Chief Dean Nelson of Lil鈥檞at Nation said this summer will be a step in the right direction.
鈥淧ipi7铆yekw has been a sacred place for our community since time immemorial, providing sustenance and cultural value, integral to our livelihood,鈥� he said in the release. 鈥淏y 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鈥檞at citizens to practise their inherent rights while reconnecting with the land. The Province鈥檚 commitment to listening and collaborating under the shared goals under the Visitor Use Management Strategy, demonstrates a true step in our shared journey of reconciliation."
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy acknowledged the impact increased visitors are having on the place of natural beauty.
鈥滲ritish Columbians understand this land has been First Nations territory for thousands of years,鈥� he said. 鈥淎s more and more people arrive to enjoy the incredible beauty of Pipi7铆yekw/Joffre Lakes Park, there is an impacting result on the environment. We have deep appreciation for the collaboration that has gone into welcoming visitors to the park from summer to Labour Day long weekend, while ensuring First Nations communities have the time and space to connect with the land, their culture and traditions in a meaningful way.鈥�
Chief Micah of N鈥橯uatqua said protecting the Nation's territory has always been its focus.
鈥淭he land that we walk on, the waters we drink, the mountains where we hunt. All of these were taken care of by our ancestors,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow it is our duty to take care of them for the future generations, so they have the same beauty that we do. By closing Joffre for the times we chose, gives the land a break, a time to rejuvenate, to heal. It is a very special place; the world comes to see it, we need to keep it beautiful. Our ancestors left to us to protect, we shall remain.鈥�
