Question Period Note: Land Assertion at Riding Mountain National Park (Lake Audy)

Land Assertion at Riding Mountain National Park (Lake Audy)

• An Indigenous individual continues to occupy the southern end of the Lake Audy campground through a land assertion including that he and “his people” are not represented by recognized First Nations. The claim is not supported by the leadership of First Nations in the area.
• Parks Canada continues to work with the individual, Indigenous partners, Justice Canada, the RCMP and local community members to explore options for peaceful resolution.
• For the 2022 visitor season (as in 2021), the majority of the campground will be open for all to enjoy. An area associated with the individual’s assertion remains closed to the public.
• Visitor safety is a priority for Parks Canada. Increased staff presence supports safety for the individual, residents and visitors.
• Law Enforcement Officials have been monitoring the individual’s actions regarding feeding / interfering with wildlife, and will consider enforcement options if the actions escalate.
• The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership.
Parks Canada is considering all options within its authority under the Canada National Parks Act in order to exercise due diligence and to serve the public interest. A measured approach is preferred to enable the parties to find positive outcomes that will enable visitor and cultural use to co-exist at the site.

• Since early 2020, Parks Canada has been actively managing an ongoing land assertion with an Indigenous individual in Riding Mountain National Park. This resulted in the temporary closure of a small campground for the 2020 visitor season; however, it was reopened to visitors for the 2021 season.
• Through the fall of 2021, the individual continued to solidify his physical presence, installing additional tipis and fence posts in the campground area and at the Lake Audy Corral. These actions are taken without the permission of Parks Canada and Parks Canada has removed additional signage the individual has posted.
• Anishinabe in this region hold deep cultural connections with the land and waters, and have lived in the area for thousands of years.
• The history of forcibly removing First Nations from the land during the establishment of Riding Mountain National Park in the 1930’s is not one that Parks Canada wishes to repeat. Parks Canada continues to take a measured approach to resolving this land assertion.

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