Latest news with #N͛Quatqua
CTV News
25-04-2025
- CTV News
Joffre Lakes Park temporarily closed for First Nations cultural practices
Joffre Lakes in B.C. is seen in this undated image. (Shutterstock) B.C.'s popular Joffre Lakes Park, also known as Pipi7íyekw, will be closed to visitors for three weeks starting Friday to give local First Nations exclusive access to their land. Officials say the closure is meant to 'provide time and space for members of the Líl̓wat Nation and N͛Quatqua to reconnect with the land and carry out cultural and spiritual practices.' The park near Pemberton - famous for its turquoise waters and stunning mountain views - has become increasingly busy over the years, prompting the need to manage visitor volume to protect the environment, BC Parks explained. The area will remain closed to recreational visitors through May 16. When the park reopens in time for the Victoria Day long weekend, all visitors over the age of 12 need a pre-booked day pass in order to enter. The passes are free and can be reserved online starting at 7 a.m. two days in advance. 'Since 2021, day-use passes have been used at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes to ensure adequate and safe parking, and provide a more enjoyable, less crowded experience,' a notice from the province reads. Officials say the park will close again this season, but the dates have not been announced. Last year, Joffre Lakes was closed from April 30 to May 15, June 14 to 23, and Sept. 3 to Oct. 6. The Líl̓wat, N͛Quatqua and the province came to an agreement to close Joffre Lakes on those planned dates after the First Nations abruptly shut off access to the park in the summer of 2023, catching the government and visitors off guard. BC Parks says it has been collaborating with the nations since 2018 to implement a joint 'visitor use management strategy.'
Vancouver Sun
24-04-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Popular Joffre Lakes Park temporarily closed for Indigenous use, land management
Increasingly popular Joffre Lakes Park in the Pemberton area will be closed for three weeks starting Friday so members of the Líl̓wat Nation and N͛Quatqua can reconnect with the land and carry out cultural and spiritual practices. Article content Article content The Ministry of Environment says the temporary closure of the park, also known as Pipi7íyekw, is aimed at avoiding overuse of the park, which has become one of the busiest in the province. Article content Article content 'As more people go to the park, there is a need for enhanced visitor-use management, ensuring the park is not degraded by heavy use,' said the ministry in an announcement Thursday. Article content Article content Joffre Lakes will be closed from April 25 to May 16. Starting on Saturday, May 17, adults and those older than 12 will have to get a free day-use pass in order to visit. Article content The ministry started issuing day passes in 2021 to make sure there was enough parking and to offer visitors a less crowded experience. They can be reserved online starting from 7 a.m. two days before a planned visit. Due to elevation, visitors should be aware there might be snow in the park and parking lot in the first few weeks after opening. Article content Joffre Lakes/Pipi7íyekw is jointly managed by the Líl̓wat and N͛Quatqua Nations, says the ministry, 'with the primary goal of maintaining the natural environment, and so the Nations can continue their cultural practices on their territory.' Article content A working group of the First Nations and B.C. Parks was created in 2018 that develops and implements a park visitor use management strategy. Article content 'As in previous years, more temporary closures are anticipated this season,' said the ministry, out of respect for the Nations' need for space and privacy to practise cultural activities. Future closure dates will be announced as soon as they are available. Article content
