New 10-year plan for Green Gables includes sharing stories of Indigenous, marginalized groups

For the first time, the Cavendish National Historic Site tied to author L.M. Montgomery has its own 10-year management plan, separate from the one for nearby Prince Edward Island National Park. 

The plan sets out a vision for Green Gables Heritage Place, including three key strategies described as "The scope of visitation," "The pleasant ache of nature" and "Working with kindred spirits."

Linda Lowther lives in Cavendish and has been involved in various committees with both the local municipality and the tourism association connected to Montgomery's work and legacy.

They include the establishment of the Inspiring Places of L.M. Montgomery Literary Tour, a bronze statue of the author, and Montgomery Park in Cavendish.

"I'm happy that they separated it out of the management plan for the entire National Park. I think it makes perfect sense to have its own management plan. The mandate is different and the audience is different," Lowther said.

"There are certain things that I kind of chuckle [about] — for example, when it takes four years to accomplish something that should take a year or two. But that's pretty typical of how big organizations work."

Lowther said it's important to put effort into promoting the site, which the management plan calls for. 

"If you stay the same and you stay stagnant, then people won't come and visit again and see what's going on," she said. 

"I think we need to educate people about Montgomery, and what she did for our province, and what she did for literature."

It's the third priority of the plan — the one they call "Working with kindred spirits" — that is causing some controversy. Parks Canada says it wants to engage with Indigenous and marginalized communities and share their stories.

Commentators across Canada are describing that intention as a "woke Anne" agenda. 

Some of the headlines include: "Woke-Canada sets sights on making Anne of Green Gables more diverse," "Green Gables getting fresh coat of 'woke' paint," and "The Kidnapping of Anne of Green Gables."

Asked for an interview about the plan and the controversy, Parks Canada was not able to provide a spokesperson but did provide a statement to CBC News.