Grace Islet is a recognized First Nations burial site, on Salt Spring Island, which Alberta businessman Barry Slawsky purchased in 1990. He was recently given the go-ahead to build his holiday home, providing he puts it on stilts that go over the burial cairns. This prompted a series of protests by First Nations and Salt Spring Island residents. The most recent development in this ongoing controversy was a proposal that the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) expropriate the islet, possibly turning it into a burial park. A decision was reached last night, CRD Will Not Expropriate Grace Islet.
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.
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 Districtpassed 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.
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
