Aboriginal people, aboriginal rights, and protected areas : an investigation of the relationship between the Nuu-Chah-Nulth people and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Date
1990
Authors
Berg, Lawrence Douglas
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Abstract
Protected areas such as national parks and nature reserves have commonly been created on lands traditionally used by aboriginal peoples. Often, these protected areas have been established without input from the aboriginal peoples living in the regions affected. The policy of establishing protected areas without regard for the needs of aboriginal people has sometimes adversely affected both the aboriginal societies and protected area conservation initiatives.
This thesis examines the relationship between seven different Indian bands and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. The West Coast Trail unit of the Park Reserve traverses reserve lands of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Indians. Likewise, these people have enclave reserves contained in the Long Beach and Broken Group Islands units of the park. In total, there are twenty-eight Indian reserves belonging to seven different Indian bands, either adjacent to the park or enclosed within its boundaries. The park is part of a larger area traditionally used by the Nuu-chah-nulth people, and it is fully encompassed by their omprehensive land claim.
A variety of research methods were utilized for the thesis, including interviews with band councillors and park managers, participant observation, and "respondent consultation". The philosophy of pragmatism, within a broadly humanistic framework, forms the philosophical underpinning for the thesis.
Because there are so many different bands with lands in the park, it is difficult to characterize relations between the Nuu-chah-nulth and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. It is best described as falling on a spectrum of views, ranging from "good relations" to "poor relations". Park managers believe the relationship falls nearer the positive end of the spectrum, while most band councillors believe the relationship lies on the other, negative portion of the spectrum.
There are a number of issues which can be addressed by park managers and Nuu-chah-nulth people to improve relations. A cooperative management regime, such as that planned for South Moresby National Park Reserve is posited as an appropriate means to improve relations. The relationship between the Nuu-chah-nulth people and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve will not be completely satisfactory, however, until the federal and provincial governments acknowledge the Nuu-chah-nulth people's aboriginal title to the west coast of Vancouver Island.