Banff stories.

McMaster University

Shauna McGarvey <[email protected]>, PhD candidate WHEN SHAUNA MCGARVEY started working with the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, she had just completed a nine-month stint as a volunteer in the community. After forming an Elders Research Advisory Board, which would be a source of information for her oral history and traditional land-use research, she realized that things were not about to unfold as she had planned.

The Stoney Nakoda First Nations is closer than any other First Nation to Banff National Park in Alberta. The Elders had so many questions about the park--Why do we have to pay to access these lands? Why can't we harvest medicines in the park?--that McGarvey saw a need to get Parks Canada and the Elders talking.

She eventually organized some informal get-togethers. The conversations weren't always about resolving tensions between the Stoney and Banff National Park, but having the Elders and wardens share bear stories around a campfire nurtured new relationships.

The park, which previously had minimal involvement with the Stoney, now seeks their participation in many projects. For instance, band members are assisting with the park's annual elk culls. In return, they receive meat and hides.

The partnership McGarvey helped to forge is now entering into a formal agreement. Though she wants to continue participting, McGarvey knows that the dialogue will outlast her involvement.