Town of Jasper Land Acknowledgement
The Municipality of Jasper respects and acknowledges that the present-day Municipality of Jasper sits on the ancestral and Traditional Territories of Indigenous Peoples. Through the use of a territorial acknowledgement, the Municipality of Jasper:
- honours the relationship between this land and the Indigenous Peoples that were present and thrived in this area since time immemorial;
- acknowledges the past and ongoing impacts of the colonization of Indigenous Peoples and lands;
- recognizes the present-day relationship Indigenous Peoples have with this area; and
- commits to ongoing reconciliation efforts in partnership with those whose Traditional Territory the Municipality of Jasper occupies.
Read the Municipality of Jasper Land Acknowledgement Policy
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30, 2022
On September 30th, Parks Canada invites all Jasperites to an observance in Commemoration Park from 1 PM to 3 PM.
National Indigenous People's Day, June 21st
For National Indigenous People’s Day in 2022, the Municipality of Jasper was honored to welcome Elder John Wesley and family for a pipe ceremony and to raise the Every Child Matters flag at our firehall. Below are pictures from the ceremony and excerpts of Mayor Ireland’s speech on National Indigenous Peoples Day.
"We are all mountain people, e iska win cha sabby; happy to share the peace, the beauty and the spirituality of these valleys, rivers, ridges and peaks.
We recognize that for some Indigenous people, the mountains themselves are their ancestors: watching over and protecting us all."
"This land – which bears the traces of Indigenous presence from time immemorial – is today our cherished home. It is, as well, the traditional territory, the meeting ground, the gathering place, the travelling route, and the home of a multitude of Indigenous peoples.
Today we celebrate our shared heritage, our shared history, our shared home, and, most significantly, our shared future."
"A future made better - made possible - through reconciliation."
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30th
In 2021, with support from the Municipality of Jasper, The Jasper Film club hosted a free outdoor screening of the film Resilient: The Aseniwuche Winewak Story on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Watch the Resilient: The Aseniwuche Winewak Story.
Indigenous Partners of the Jasper National Park area:
- Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation
- Aseniwuche Winewak Nation
- Enoch Cree Nation
- Ermineskin Cree Nation
- Foothills Ojibway Society
- Horse Lake First Nation
- Kelly Lake Cree Nation
- Kelly Lake Métis Settlement Society
- Lac Ste. Anne Métis
- Louis Bull Tribe
- Mountain Cree
- Mountain Métis
- Nakcowinewak Nation of Canada
- O'Chiese First Nation
- Paul First Nation
- Samson Cree Nation
- Simpcw First Nation
- Stoney Nakoda Nations (representing 3 Nations - Chiniki, Wesley, and Bearspaw Nations)
- Sucker Creek First Nation
- Sunchild First Nation
- Swan River First Nation
Resources and Ongoing Learning
- Read about Jasper National Park Indigenous connections on Parks Canada Website.
- Indigenous Canada | Coursera Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson free course offered by the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies. From an indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective.
- 7 Cree Principles by AWN
- We Know the Truth: Stories to inspire reconciliation – stories from Residential school survivors – stories to inspire the truth, CBC.
- Visit the City of Edmonton T&R Resource list for podcasts, courses and other learning resources for Truth and Reconciliation.