Legislation Helps Expand Parks, Recognize Indigenous History

The BC Government has introduced legislation to expand three existing provincial parks and rename two parks to recognize Indigenous connections.

Through proposed amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act, Enderby Cliffs Park near Salmon Arm will be renamed Tplaqín/Enderby Cliffs Park.

Maquinna Marine Park near Tofino will be renamed Nism̓aakqin Park.

Tplaqín means cliff in Interior Salish.

The name Nism̓aakqin means “our land that we care for” in Nuu-chah-nulth.

“Indigenous people have been stewards of the water, land and wildlife for millennia,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks.

“Renaming these parks to traditional Indigenous names recognizes significant cultural values and supports ongoing reconciliation with First Nations. Expanding B.C.’s parks and protected-areas system enhances protection of important ecological, recreational, cultural and historical values that make these places special.”

The proposed additions will add approximately 143 hectares to three parks - on Haida Gwaii, near Clearwater, and near Sicamous.

The Province acquires land each year through the BC Parks Land Acquisition Program to expand parks and protected areas.

B.C. has 1,050 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering more than 14 million hectares, or approximately 14.7% of the land base.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.