Parks Canada is inviting past and present West Coast Trail Guardians and their families to a 20th anniversary celebration of the highly successful program. The celebration will take place in Port Alberni on June 19 at the Alberni Athletic Hall.
According to Laura Judson, Parks Canada Media Relations and Communications officer, the Guardian program began in 1995 as a contracted partnership between Parks Canada and the three Nuu-chah-nulth Nations that have sections of the trail in their traditional territories.
The agreement calls for the three First Nations – Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht – to each service 25-kilometre stretches of the West Coast Trail that cross through their traditional territory, says Judson.
More than 5,000 hikers visit the West Coast Trail each year and prior to 1995 very few were aware that they were passing through the homelands of three Nuu-chah-nulth Nations.
Since the Guardian program began, many of the hikers ran into first nations guardians along the way.
“The Guardians have become the eyes, ears, hands and voices Parks Canada depends upon to keep the trail running safely and meaningfully,” said Judson.
“Thanks to the Guardians, weary hikers recovering from a gruelling day can find themselves joined on a remote beach by First Nations drummers and singers who introduce the visitors to their traditional territory and offer a mesmerizing musical immersion in their culture,” she added.
Parks Canada can measure the success of the program based on positive feedback of hikers. “Comment cards from the West Coast Trail continually praise the Guardians and demonstrate their track record of going the extra mile, from carrying an exhausted hiker's pack to helping a visitor with a medical condition receive the assistance they need,” said Judson.
The West Coast Trail Guardian program employs approximately 12 Guardians each year whose core duties involve maintaining the trail, providing cultural interpretation to visitors, assisting with visitor safety, and contributing to wildlife reporting.
Parks Canada is proud of this partnership that not only brings economic benefits to remote First Nations communities, but also makes a lasting impact on our visitors by helping them connect with nature.
Parks Canada is thrilled to be hosting a celebration on Friday June 19th at Port Alberni Athletic Hall to honour the 20th anniversary of the Guardian program. The celebration will start at 11 a.m.
This special lunch will include chiefs and councillors representing each of the First Nations, along with Guardians past and present and their families.
“We look forward to sharing memories, historic photos, traditional food and honouring our First Nations partners for their exceptional dedication over the past two decades,” Judson said.
Parks Canada is making every effort to get in touch with past and present Guardians. If you have served on the West Coast Trail as a Guardian and would like to learn more about the event, please contact Jenny Touchie, Aboriginal Liaison at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (250-726-3526).
