While our mountains are important for our well-being, we need to be careful that we are respecting the well-being of the mountains we visit.
This episode of the Canadian Mountain Podcast features the virtual recording from CMN’s online event for International Mountain Day 2021, which was hosted in partnership with Reconciling Ways of Knowing. The discussions focused on conserving natural and cultural heritage through sustainable mountain tourism in honour of International Mountain Day, designated by the United Nations to call attention to the world about the importance of mountains to life. The event was originally scheduled for December 2021 but was postponed out of respect for the communities mourning the passing of Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Elder Dave Courchene).
Gathering from a diverse range of mountain regions around the Canada, speakers included Barbara Wilson (Haida Nation), William Snow (Stoney Nakoda Nation), Isabelle Falardeau (Université Quebec à Trois-Rivières) and Stephanie Yuill (M.Sc, Gov’t of NWT). Our guests share a love for mountains and a close connection to the land, and they are working to support sustainable tourism through their own knowledge systems. David Suzuki also makes an appearance at the end of the episode to provide his comments on these issues.
Through this discussion about sustainable development and conservation in mountains, panelists discussed who benefits from tourism and who it may harm, as well as choosing when to visit and when to stay away, how we can change our views on land and tourism, and much more.
