For several years, the National Aboriginal Day spectacle has repeated itself.

The beat of the drum, the dervish of colour, the waft of tobacco. While Jasper is fortunate many of the world’s top native dancers and drummers have chosen to return to the three valley confluence, sadly for many, the sharing of cultures does not extend beyond this point.

The story was lacking. Thankfully this is changing.

This year, the scene was accompanied by another at the Moberly homestead a few kilometres from the Snaring campground. One hundred years after the Moberlys, Cardinals and many other families with aboriginal blood were evicted from Jasper National Park, the families have returned. The homestead experience presented one of the most authentic cultural experiences available in the Park, and understandably impressed visitors from Canada and around the globe. There was a genuine sharing taking place, as descendants from those first families told their stories. Many of the elders thanked parks for helping with the event.

Aboriginal days has seen many different forms over the years, as the understanding and appreciation of the diversity of First Nations culture continued to shift.

For many years, the scene would have been an unwelcome one. Governments and churches choose assimilation as the policy of choice - in many cases (literally) trying to beat the ‘Indian’ out of the Canadian psyche. Agreements were made, settlements were eradicated and for many First Nation people, their language and culture became something they had to hide in shame.

While a thousand of the nation’s aboriginal people gather in Winnipeg for truth and reconciliation hearings designed to help the healing process, Jasper National Park is also continuing its efforts to welcome back those who for many years have had to ‘sneak back into the park’ to visit the land of their ancestors.

The new management plan outlines the importance of aboriginal presence in the park. Since 2004, the park has formally met with groups of elders to discuss policy and how to heal 100 years of hurt. There are 24 aboriginal groups stating they have traditional ties to Jasper. Depending who you talk to, that’s either too many or not enough, but the dialogue between Jasper National Park and these groups has shifted. Progress is being made.

For example, the new totem pole is not without its critics on the aboriginal forum, but aboriginal groups are the ones pushing protocol in order ensure the proper amount of respect is afforded all groups. The fact the pole has been delayed a year gives a chance for more negotiations to take place and for proper protocol to be followed.

The aboriginal day celebrations in turn had taken on a theme of sharing, with families, nations and governments coming together to talk and first nations groups willing to tell their stories about their culture and explain their arguments. Some are looking for a commercial presence in the park, others want space in which they can conduct traditional teachings and ceremonies.

The discussions will not be easy, but the fact a dialogue is occurring is cause enough for celebration on National Aboriginal day.