BLOG 6 - Jasper & Maligne Lake

Today brings another highlight of our trip so far - it's not the small town of Jasper with its alpine touch of a winter sports resort in summer, but Maligne Lake and our boat trip there.

However, it is important for us to point out the history of Jasper National Park. It was decided as early as 1907 – by the white man, without even involving the Indians who had been living there for centuries and who had strong ties to their country. No, even worse - for the white people, the native people were seen as disturbing troublemakers (!!) for the land of the national park and ALL of them were removed or murdered in the following years. All the buildings, sacred sites, etc. of the original inhabitants were destroyed. It seems quite hypocritical, what 'cult' is practiced today with regard to the 'First Nations'. So 'Spirit Island' - the holiest place of the Stoney Nakoda ('Iyarhe Nakodabi' in their language) is not allowed to be entered by non-tribes anymore - once a year (if there are no COVID Lock Downs) they 'are allowed' to hold their traditional ceremonies there.

Disregarding the horrible history, Spirit Island is just a beautiful place in the Rocky Mountains - far from the hustle and bustle - if you just ignore the tourists who come by boat every 30 minutes.