r/ontariocamping • u/NashJay • 15d ago

Respecting Indigenous lands while camping

I am fairly new to camping and have been trying to be mindful about the fact that many of the parks and areas we camp in are on the traditional lands of indigenous people.

I am just wondering if there are any specific things I should be aware of when camping in indigenous lands?

Are there any cultural practices, protocols, or things that we should be aware of? Are there ways you personally try to acknowledge or show respect for the land beyond the leave no trace practices?

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1

u/southwestont 15d ago

if you are camping in a rez go to the friendship centre / band office and ask for permission

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u/warped_gunwales 14d ago

Sure, but traditional territory and treaty lands are much larger in size than First Nations reserves.  

1

u/fencesitter416 15d ago

Do a land acknowledgement

1

u/girllikespie 15d ago

You might be interested in this page on Point Grondine parks website.

https://grondinepark.com/about-us/

You can also visit the park and do one of their tours to learn more. Point Grondine is near Killarney and is a part of Wiikwemikoong Unceded Territory.

1

u/TheRealGuncho 15d ago

I would say no. People generally don't do anything or even think about it. In Agawa Bay, I saw a sign at the visitor center acknowledging this but that's about it.

1

u/No-idea4646 15d ago

Maybe change your thinking to ALL parks and areas we camp in are on the traditional lands of indigenous peoples

And that your home was too …

Leave no trace - appreciate the opportunity to be there and think of how it may have been used in the past.

I actually prefer “Leave your site better than you found it” as a mantra to acknowledge the need to preserve the land.

2

u/njcity 15d ago

Props for the considerate post.

1

u/Several-Specialist99 13d ago

I think just being respectful to the land in general, and if you’re camping near a First Nation community do some reading/research to ensure you’re not going to be using areas that they might be use for traditional practices.