Information Bulletin

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation Fall Harvest

In Pukaskwa National Park

Heron Bay, ON, October 14, 2025 – Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, through the Guardians Program at Pukaskwa National Park, will host a fall harvest in the park from October 17–19, 2025. Biigtigong families will stay in front-country campsites and oTENTiks, engaging in traditional harvesting practices.

While Pukaskwa National Park closes its campground on October 15^th, visitors accessing the park for the hiking trails should plan to remain in the frontcountry utilizing the Southern Headland Trail, Manito Miikana Trail, Boardwalk Beach Trail, and Bimose Kinoomagewan. The backcountry Coastal Hiking Trail staring at the Hattie Cove Fire Walk including the Mdaabii Miikna Trail will be temporary closed for traditional hunting.

To ensure public safety, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg will hunt in remote areas of the park, away from any open public day use areas. However, visitors to the park may encounter harvest participants carrying hunting equipment, including hunting rifles, and transporting harvested wildlife in the front country campground loops and parking areas. Visitors who are sensitive to such sights are encouraged to stay on the front country trails or delay their visit by a few days.

Signage notifying visitors of closures and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg hunting activities will be posted in applicable areas of the park. As a pre-caution, Parks Canada always recommends wearing high visibility clothing while hiking in Pukaskwa National Park during the autumn months.

Supporting harvesting and other stewardship practices is one way that Parks Canada is upholding the Government of Canada’s commitments to renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples.

Harvesting by the Anishinabek of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg is a right protected by S.35 of the Constitution Act and is undertaken as part of their ongoing responsibilities for the land by caring for, and living in relationship with, their Territory, as they have for millennia.

As such, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg have the right to harvest and hunt within their Territory, including lands off the shores of Ci-gamig (Lake Superior) and in the northern superior region, which encompasses Pukaskwa National Park.

-30-

Contacts :

Karen Blackbourn

Park Manager, Pukaskwa National Park

Parks Canada / Government of Canada

PO Box 212, Heron Bay, ON, P0T1R0

karen.blackbourn@pc.gc.ca / Tel: 807-371-0039