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Your B.C. Government

Heritage and Culture

B.C. archaeological sites, oral tradition and language represent a rich culture and history extending back at least 12,000 years and are of great value to First Nations, communities and all British Columbians. The B.C. Government is helping to preserve this heritage while ensuring a fair process exists for private property owners.

What your B.C. Government is doing for Heritage and Culture:

  • Your B.C. Government has established a joint working group with the First Nations Leadership Council to improve heritage conservation specific to their sites.
  • $1.2 million has been provided to a Language and Culture Plan to preserve and promote Aboriginal languages.
  • The Heritage Conservation Act (HCA) provides for the protection of British Columbia’s valuable archaeological resources, located on both public and private land. The Act prohibits the destruction, excavation or alteration of archaeological sites without a permit. It also allows for the minister to order a ‘heritage inspection’ to assess the archaeological significance of a piece of land.
  • The HCA provides automatic protection for archaeological sites on Crown land and on private land, without requiring formal designation. The Provincial Heritage Registry currently has more than 23,000 records of sites or objects that would fall into the category of “archaeological site”.
  • $3.8 million supported the 2008 North American Indigenous Games, one of the largest sporting events on the continent.  The event was hosted by Cowichan Tribes.
  • Your B.C. Government contributed $6 million to help build the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, a world-class venue showcasing Squamish and Lil’wat cultures as well as Aboriginal cultures from across B.C. and Canada.
  • The Province has also contributed to the construction of Aboriginal cultural centres in Haida Gwaii and Osoyoos.
  • Launched the BC Creative Achievement Awards for Aboriginal Art and Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2007 to celebrate and highlight B.C.’s vibrant Aboriginal art community.
  • Committed $5 million to Aboriginal Tourism BC to increase tourism opportunities in First Nations communities and promote Aboriginal culture and history.
  • As part of BC150 celebrations and the 2008 North American Indigenous Games, the province sponsored the Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole tour, giving British Columbians across the province a chance to learn more about First Nations carving, and carve a piece of history themselves.
  • As part of BC150 the Province provided $100,000 to the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council for B.C. Aboriginal artists to create original works of art  for the permanent collection at Government House.

For More Information:
Aboriginal Tourism BC
Cultural Programs
BC Creative Achievement Awards for Aboriginal Art
BC150 Aboriginal Programs