INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES: Park Management at Grand Portage

Webinar Description

Grand Portage State Park is the only state park in Minnesota, and perhaps the nation, that is managed in partnership with a Native nation — the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. This Native nation plays an important role in the ownership, management, and cultural interpretation at this park.

Join our webinar to hear from two key leaders about how this partnership works. Travis Novitsky, the long-time park manager at Grand Portage State Park is an enrolled member of the Grand Portage Band. April McCormick is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Grand Portage Tribal Council. They will share their experiences and perspectives on the partnership and the benefits for both the tribal nation and our state parks system.

They will also compare the management model at the state park with that at the nearby Grand Portage National Monument, which has an even longer history and more formalized co-management agreement with the Grand Portage Band.

You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions. We hope you’ll join us to learn about this important topic.

This webinar is part of Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota webinar series designed to offer valuable information, tips, and resources for our members and other park and trail supporters.

Travis Novitsky

Park manager at Grand Portage State Park

April McCormick

Secretary-Treasurer of the Grand Portage Tribal Council

P&TC Facilitators

• Lisa Filter, External Relations Directors at P&TC
• Phoebe Ward, Friends Group Program Manager at P&TC