Vancouver’s park board eyes free access to city’s most popular gardens for Indigenous visitors…..
The Vancouver Park Board is considering a policy that would grant free access to some of the city’s most popular gardens for Indigenous visitors. This initiative is part of a broader reconciliation effort aimed at acknowledging and respecting the cultural connections of Indigenous Peoples to the land. If approved, Indigenous individuals would be able to visit sites such as VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Bloedel Conservatory without paying an entrance fee.
Supporters of the proposal argue that these lands are located on unceded Indigenous territory and that Indigenous Peoples should not be required to pay to access spaces that have deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance. The move follows similar actions taken by other cultural institutions across Canada that have waived fees for Indigenous visitors as part of reconciliation initiatives.
Critics, however, have raised questions about how the policy will be implemented and verified without causing discomfort or discrimination. The Park Board is currently consulting with local First Nations and Indigenous organizations to refine the proposal and ensure that it is respectful and effective.
If adopted, the policy would mark a significant step in improving accessibility and recognition for Indigenous communities in Vancouver, and further the city’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation.
