LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The Dehcho First Nations was recently used an example of how Parks Canada and aboriginal groups work together to establish national parks.

On July 21, members of Dehcho First Nations (DFN) received a visit from three delegates from the Misipawistik Cree Nation in Grand Rapids, Man.

Grand Chief Jerry Antoine, left, of the Dehcho First Nations stands with Chief Ovide Mercredi of the Misipawistik Cree Nation of Grand Rapids, Man., during a feast and drum dance held to mark the delegation's visit. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The delegates were seeking the information as part of a fact-finding mission.

Parks Canada is proposing to establish a park on the Misipawistik's traditional land to protect an area of Manitoba's Lowlands national region. The first nation, however, has serious concerns about the project.

"Our knowledge of the parks system is the displacement of indian people and their rights," said Chief Ovide Mercredi, of the Misipawistik Cree Nation and a former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

"We're worried for a very good reason. If a national park is set up in our traditional lands we'll lose access to our areas."

The community's primary knowledge about the parks system comes from Riding Mountain National Park.

Opened in 1933 as the first national park in Manitoba, its creation involved the forcible eviction of first nations people who used the land, said Mercredi.

Parks Canada officials have told Misipawistik parks are no longer established in that manner and have sponsored the fact-finding trip in an effort to prove it.

During the trip, delegates from the community will be sent to five parks in different parts of Canada to learn about other first nations' experiences with the park system.

The examples include Nahanni National Park Reserve and Wood Buffalo National Park in the NWT as well as Wapusk National Park in Manitoba, Torngat Mountains National Park in Labrador and Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve in B.C.

The objective of the trips is to allow elders and council members to evaluate what Parks Canada methods, Mercredi said.

A particular focus is being put on first nations' abilities to exercise traditional rights in national parks.

All of the gathered information will be made into a factual report which will be given to the community so they can make the final decision on the park, Mercredi said.

Fort Simpson and the Nahanni National Park Reserve was the first trip destination.

"It's an honourable thing they bestowed upon us," said Jerry Antoine, about the visit.

Antoine, a member of the Nahanni National Park Reserve consensus team and the park's working group gave a presentation to the delegates on the work that's been done on the park and the hopes for a final park management agreement.

The Misipawistik Cree Nation isn't the first group to ask about DFN's experiences with Parks Canada and the Nahanni National Park Reserve, said Antoine.

Requests have also come in from other parts of Canada.

"We're coming to realize the unique relationship we have with Parks Canada," he said.

Although there's still work to be done before the expanded park reserve boundary is and management plan is settled, Antoine said progress is being made in the right direction.

"We do have trust. We have faith things will work out down the line," said Antoine.

Being asked about Dehcho First Nations' work and experiences relating to the park reserve has been a blessing and also given DFN a moral boost, said Antoine.

DFN's goal is to fulfill the elders' directive to have the South Nahanni watershed protected, said Antoine. By helping to establish the expanded park reserve DFN is also assisting Parks Canada's goal to have a larger park, he said.

"It's the closest thing to co-existing," Antoine said about the relationship.