Tag Archives: Adam Olsen

No House Here

By Roy L Hales

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As you can see from the photo above, construction is proceeding on the house on top of Grace Islet on Salt Spring Island. This is a recognized First Nation’s burial site and it is not known how long construction will continue. The 13 municipalities in the Capital Regional District passed a resolution condemning the desecration of a sacred site and requested that BC’s Archaeology Branch rescind the permit allowing construction.  Salt Spring Islanders opposed to the building have started a “No House Here” campaign.  Meanwhile a spokesperson from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said the protests are  being directed at the wrong level of government.

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CRD Requests Permit for Grace Island be Suspended

By Roy L Hales

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The Provincial Government just got a (political) black eye at Grace Islet, on Salt Spring Island. The Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resources Operations Archaeology Branch approved an alteration permit that would have allowed someone to build his vacation home over a recognized First Nation’s burial site. Capital Regional District (CRD) passed a resolution stating this is a desecration of first Nation’s Remains which came about because of the Archaeology Branch’s failure to adequately consult with First Nations. This problem should be solved through negotiation. CRD Requests Permit for Grace Island be Suspended

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The Desecration of Grace Islet

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Originally Broadcast on Cortes Community Radio, CKTZ, 89.5 FM

Grace Islet is a recognized centuries old First Nations burial ground on Salt Spring Island BC, that is zoned residential. In an attempt to satisfy both concerns, British Columbia’s Archaeology Branch decided to allow an Alberta businessman to build his waterfront vacation home on Grace Islet providing he put it on stilts that go over the grave sites.

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