The Government of Canada and the Nation Micmac de Gespeg have signed a co-management agreement for Forillon National Park [1].
This partnership marks a significant shift in the administration of the park in Gaspésie, Québec. By integrating Indigenous leadership into the governance of the land, the agreement seeks to recognize Indigenous rights and advance the federal government's broader reconciliation efforts.
The agreement was signed Jan. 30, 2024 [1]. Under the terms of the partnership, the Nation Micmac de Gespeg and the federal government in Ottawa will collaborate to manage the protected area. The primary objectives of this joint effort include the improved protection of wildlife, and the preservation of cultural heritage within the park's boundaries [1].
This move follows a period of strategic planning for the region. The master plan for Forillon National Park had previously been deposited in Parliament Dec. 14, 2022 [2]. The transition toward co-management represents a move away from unilateral federal oversight toward a model of shared stewardship.
By involving the Mi'kmaq people in the decision-making process, the government aims to ensure that traditional knowledge informs the conservation of the park's ecosystem. This approach is intended to address historical grievances and ensure that the land is managed in a way that respects the ancestral ties of the Nation Micmac de Gespeg [1].
“The Government of Canada and the Nation Micmac de Gespeg have signed a co-management agreement for Forillon National Park.”
The shift to a co-management model at Forillon National Park reflects a growing trend in Canadian land administration where the state acknowledges Indigenous sovereignty over ancestral territories. By moving from a top-down federal management style to a partnership, the government is attempting to operationalize reconciliation through tangible changes in land use and environmental stewardship.
