The Simpcw First Nation has signed an agreement with the Stoney Nation in Alberta and Parks Canada over mutual hunting privileges in what is now Jasper National Park.

A joint statement released Tuesday says the resource-sharing agreement is based on a “historic nation to nation agreement” that was originally signed in 1895 that “shows the longstanding relationship between nations [while illustrating] the mutual commitment to share resources.”

“Walking together with the Stoney and supported by Parks Canada, the Símpcwemc (Simpcw people) continue to use our ancestral lands to uphold the agreement to share in resources as one through a shared ceremony and harvest,” Simpcw Kukpi7 George Lampreau said, in the statement.

“In reconnecting the ties between our people we are also affirming our connection to Simpcwúlecw (Simpcw Territory), while uplifting each others communities.””

In the statement, Simpcw, Stoney Nation, and Parks Canada say conservation and public safety are priorities in planning for the ceremony and harvest. They’ve also agreed on sustainable harvest levels to “respect the balance” between ecological integrity and Indigenous rights to harvest for meat and medicine.

“Since time immemorial, the two nations have had a treaty,” Barry Wesley of the Stoney Nation added. “Every four years our ancestors reconnected the treaty within the eastern slopes and that was going on until this place became a national park. Ever since then we haven’t reconnected our treaty – until now.”

“So far, we have been allowed to harvest medicines here and reconnect to the mountains for healing. The last connection missing is to harvest food,” said Barry Wesley of the Stoney Nation.”

The statement says there will be a temporary area closure east of Snaring River, north of Highway 16 and the Athabasca River, starting on Monday, Oct. 23 until Nov. 13 to ensure public safety and respect to the ceremony.

“Facilitating this harvest is just one way we’re supporting the Simpcw First Nation and Stoney Nation to reconnect to their territories,” Alan Fehr, the Jasper Field Unit Superintendent for Parks Canada said in the statement.

“We’re working with Indigenous governments and communities to reintegrate practices like harvesting in alignment with shared conservation objectives.”

Radio NL has reached out to Kukpi7 George Lampreau for comment on this agreement and what it means for the First Nation moving forward