The article examines the establishment of national parks on the lands of the indigenous population and their struggle to regain their rights. The author analyses the prerequisites for the formation of the legal regime of the USA and Canada in relation to the indigenous population and national parks. He notes that the indigenous population not only lost the right to lands that became national parks, but also the opportunity to use their natural resources until the second half of the 20th century. The author concludes that the actions of the indigenous population have led to the creation of a new model of national park management, which highlights the involvement of Indian tribes in the conservation of biodiversity and natural landscapes of protected natural areas.