Thousand Islands National Park is Pleased to Offer Free Admission Day on June 16

by ahnationtalk on June 12, 2018628 Views

Celebrate Canada’s Indigenous Culture with Parks Canada on National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 12, 2018 Mallorytown Landing, Ontario Parks Canada Agency

The Government is celebrating families and the importance of our protected areas with free admission to Parks Canada’s places for youth 17 and under, starting in 2018 and beyond. This year, Parks Canada is also pleased to offer free admission or lockage for one day at Parks Canada places across the country. This is a special thank you to the millions of Canadians who celebrated Canada 150 with Parks Canada in 2017 when more Canadians than ever before had amazing experiences at Parks Canada’s places.

Free Admission Day is site-specific and the date is determined by each national park or historic site. It is important to note that only admission is free on Free Admission Day. Fees for recreational services and goods such as camping and firewood, boat launches, mooring, transportation, or special tours remain.

Parks Canada manages one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected natural and cultural heritage areas in the world. Through its broad network of national parks, marine conservation areas and historic sites, Parks Canada connects Canadians with their heritage.

Thousand Islands National Park is pleased to offer free admission day on Saturday, June 16, to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, with activities taking place at Mallorytown Landing from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The day will begin with an opening ceremony at the scenic Contemplation Rock at Mallorytown Landing where guests will share the “Words Before All Else” Mohawk Thanksgiving Address. Throughout the day, Indigenous artists and vendors will showcase their work. Visitors can drop in to create Indigenous crafts such as sweet grass woven bookmarks, beadwork, and basketry in workshops offered from 10:30 a.m. until noon, and 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. At 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., the Native North American Travelling College of the Ronathahonni Cultural Centre in Akwesasne will be presenting an overview of Mohawk culture in an interactive presentation geared towards families. A ‘social’ will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. featuring dancing and storytelling presenting the teachings of the Mohawk people of Akwesasne and the Haudenosaunee Nations to park visitors. To conclude the day, visitors can learn about the Creator’s game and see lacrosse in action at 3:00 p.m.

Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that commemorates the contributions of Indigenous peoples, their history and cultures, as well as the special relationship Indigenous peoples have with traditional lands and waters. At Thousand Islands National Park, visitors can explore the islands and riverside environments that have been the home of Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Anishinaabe First Nations for millennia.

Quotes

“National parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer. They tell the stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Thousand Islands National Park is a national treasure, and on Free Admission Day, I invite Canadian families, youth, and visitors to our country to explore it and connect with Canada’s nature and history.”

The Honourable Catherine McKenna,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

Quick facts

Established in 1904, Thousand Islands National Park is the oldest national park east of the Rocky Mountains.
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. On Saturday, June 16, Thousand Islands National Park will present a celebration of Indigenous culture at its Visitor Centre in Mallorytown Landing.
Canada’s national parks and national marine conservation areas provide outstanding examples of our country’s natural landscapes, generate economic activity by attracting visitors from Canada and abroad, and provide Canadians with access to our natural heritage.
Significant flooding impacted Thousand Islands National Park in 2017 and many of the park’s public docks were damaged. While repairs to docks will continue throughout 2018, work will be influenced by factors such as weather conditions, restrictions to protect spawning fish, and availability of contractors. Boaters are encouraged to plan their visit in advance by reviewing updates to the status of docks online at www.pc.gc.ca/ti.
Discovery Passes are available online, at Parks Canada entry gates and visitor centres, as well as through partners such as Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). This pass provides families with unlimited opportunities to visit Parks Canada places throughout the year. Please visit the Parks Canada website for more information. The Discovery Pass is valid one year from the date of purchase.
The online reservation system for booking a campsite is available since January 2018 for visits during the period of April 2018 through March 2019.
As reiterated in Budget 2018, the Government of Canada is pleased to offer free admission to all Parks Canada places for youth aged 17 and under in 2018 and beyond.
On Sunday, July 1st, Parks Canada places will welcome visitors with free admission to celebrate Canada Day.

Associated links

Contacts

Leslie MacPherson
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Georgian Bay and Ontario East Field Unit
613-923-5261 ext. 114
Leslie.MacPherson@pc.gc.ca

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

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