Question 7

Question 7. In recent years, the Park Board has taken steps towards reconciliation, decolonization, and co-management with MST First Nations. Would you continue this work? If yes, how?

Leonard VANDERSTAR (202) – Constitutionally, we basically have two landlords of “public lands” – that of which colonialists claim and that of which Indigenous peoples claim as traditional territories. We are in the era of co-management, which is a good thing sinceachievement of the higher common denominator is achievable. Corporations, whether Indigenous owned or not, will be viewed on equal footing and treated equitably; in other words, there is a clear distinction between hereditary leaders/band councils and that of their corporations.

Sacia BURTON (215) – As a significant property owner of unceded land, the Park Board has a vital role to play in reconciliation, decolonization, and co-management with the host nations and with urban indigenous community members. Conversations and plans around ownership, access, and stewardship should be navigated with care, with an aim to build trust and dismantle systems of harm established and upheld by previous governments.

The heavy lifting of decolonization must be done by institutions that have held and wielded power to the detriment of First Nations’ people. This means funding work, opening space in ways that may be viewed as unconventional, and being open to ongoing learning.

In practical policy terms, this work can and should include ensuring that unhoused community members (Indigenous or not) are not forcibly displaced from public land; that landback opportunities be explored, such as the partial return of land at Vanier Park to the Squamish Nation, thus enabling the development of Seńáḵw; that native plants are prioritized in land restoration efforts, with ethnobotanists and local experts leading restoration planning; that access to growing and processing traditional food and holding ceremony is upheld through access to space; and that education work regarding First Nations’ culture and presence in the city is reliably funded. Further decisions and priorities should be collaboratively developed by MST and the City, with goals set by MST respected and appropriately funded.

Tom DIGBY (222) – The Greens fully support these priorities. The monthly meeting of the Stanley Park Intergovernmental Working Group is the primary point of contact with First Nations about park planning. We seek advice and insight from First Nations for all major park changes. For example, the 75,000 trees we planted in Stanley Park were selected based on First Nation recommendations.

Michael Robert CADITZ (226) – Yes, but we will give voice to hereditary leaders and traditional indigenous values. We will not allow any entity, including but not limited to MST Development Corporation, to develop, damage, or commercialize parks.

Niknaz ALEMI (231) – Absolutely. I would continue this work and I think it is important that reconciliation goes beyond symbolic actions. For me, that starts with recognizing that the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh Nations are rights holders and the original stewards of these lands. I would support continuing the work already started through VanPlay and the 2023– 2026 Capital Plan, including co management, greater cultural visibility on the land and stronger government to government relationships with the three Nations. I also believe Indigenous knowledge and western science should not be treated as competing approaches. Both can contribute to better ecological stewardship. When we are making major interventions in sensitive ecosystems such as Stanley Park, decisions should be transparent, supported by ecological evidence and data, informed by Indigenous knowledge, and carefully assessed for their long term impacts on biodiversity and forest resilience.

Reconciliation and environmental protection should strengthen each other. Co management should mean bringing different forms of knowledge to the table and making decisions based on what will best protect these ecosystems for future generations.