Indigenous connections to the land now known as Jasper National Park range from painful histories to joyful times rooted in the land. These connections come together in the Jasper Indigenous Exhibit. At each of the four entrances, there will be panels introducing the exhibit as well as recognizing the displacement of Indigenous peoples from the land that became Jasper National Park. When asked about her family’s connections to this place, Carol Wildcat from Ermineskin Cree Nation shared a proud moment for her and her sister back when they were in an all-girls Indigenous marching band.
“It was quite famous actually. We had it for about five or six years in Maskwacis. It was called Hobbema back then. We ranged from eight or nine years old, to 16 or 17 years of age. We were part of the Edmonton All Girls Marching Drum and Bugle band. So we were a spinoff from that. I did the trumpet and refused the tuba. I will not carry that! My sister Clara was a small girl and still took part doing different parades, like the Canada Day parade. We went to Edmonton, Calgary, Jasper and Banff. I remember when the Queen came to visit in 1972. Clara was there and she was on the cover of McLean’s Magazine because the Queen just gravitated to her. I always think that was so cool. She was tiny and she was so cute and proud.”
– Carol Wildcat, Ermineskin Cree Nation
We encourage you to look at Canada’s history and reconciliation journey: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1400782178444/1529183710887
In Jasper, this journey starts by protecting this special place for present and future generations and telling the difficult history of how Jasper National Park came to be. Visit “The Jasper Indigenous Exhibit” web page for more details about the Grand Opening September 7 and 8, 2024: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jasper/autochtones-indigenous/exposition-exhibit
