Editor’s note: Another example of the conflict between industry and First Nations Sacred sites.
By Aaron Hemens, IndigiNews, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Secwépemc knowledge-keeper is outraged after Trans Mountain was given approval from Canada’s energy regulator to trench through an important cultural site to build its pipeline expansion — calling the project colonialism personified.
“Evil is putting it lightly,” said Mike McKenzie, who is from Skeetchestn.
Over 400 archaeology sites have been located in the Tla’amin territory.
Registration for these sites is still an ongoing process. Because archaeological sites are everywhere especially along the coast, First Nations have been teaming up with archaeologists to uncover the lost stories that enrich Indigenous culture.
Grace Islet is a recognized First Nations burial site which was zoned residential and someone is building a house there. This would not be allowed if this were a European burial ground, but older First Nations sites are treated differently in BC. The Provincial Minister responsible will not intervene because the owners permits are in order. Representatives of the Southern Gulf Islands communities held a Grace Island Purification on August 11, 2014.
Around thirty people landed on Grace Islet Tuesday. Regardless of whether they went above the high water mark and were legally “trespassing”or not, the Grace Islet landing reminiscent of Gandhi’s civil disobedience campaigns.
British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource will not intervene to protect the recognized First Nation’s burial site on Salt Spring Island, but the Capital Regional District might expropriate Grace Islet.
