The Líl̓wat First Nation has identified 72 days that it requires for the 2026 Reconnection Periods for Pipi7íyekw (Joffre Lakes Park).
The provincial government has responded by announcing the closure dates of the park to the public, adding up to less than half of the requested dates.
The announced dates amount to 29 days.
Pipi7íyekw is a place of cultural, legal, and spiritual importance to the Líl̓wat.
They argue that the heavy recreational use that happens from late spring to early fall harms the land and interferes with the Líl̓wat’s ability to exercise its rights and responsibilities in a safe and meaningful way.
This includes the removal of critical species, destruction of landscape, and the prevention of access to ceremony.
In April, the Líl̓wat identified the Reconnection Periods for 2026 for the Nation to practice their traditional activities on the land.
The dates coincide with seasonal periods that allow Líl̓wat members to take part in their culture and way of life in their traditional homelands and engage in inter-generational knowledge.
Without discussing the closure dates with the Líl̓wat, the province announced not just shorter periods but different dates than were requested.
“These dates were not requests,” said Political Chief Dean Nelson of Líl̓wat Nation. “They are the Reconnection Periods that Líl̓wat requires so our people can harvest, hold ceremony, teach our children on the land, and carry out our stewardship responsibilities in Pipi7íyekw.”
The Líl̓wat Nation has reached out to the province again to request it to update the Reconnection Periods to those initially requested.
“Reconciliation must be matched by action,” said Chief Nelson. “If the province is serious about building a relationship based on mutual respect, it must start by respecting our Reconnection Periods.”
The Líl̓wat Nation expects a response by June 2.