Bill seeks protection for archeological finds

Ministry needs more resources, MLA Norm Macdonald says

By CAROLYN GRANT

Last week in the BC Legislature, NDP MLA Maurine Karagianis of Esquimalt Metchosin introduced a Private Members Bill (First Nations Heritage Protection and Conservation Act, 2007) designed to address the uncertainty that currently surrounds archeological finds on private lands.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald, who is the critic for Tourism, Sport and the Arts, the Ministry responsible for archeological finds, says that this is an issue that needs attention.

The problem, he says, is that as development increases finds are becoming more frequent and nobody seems to have the resources to deal with them.

“In our area around Columbia Lake there have been a lot of First Nations artifacts found, some with real significance,” Macdonald said.  “As development takes place there’s a need to first identify these sites and then protect them.

“First Nations archeological sites are of tremendous historical significance to this area,” said Macdonald.  “The people in this area respect and celebrate First nation history and feel frustration with the lack of a legislative framework to deal with archeological finds.”

He says more resources are needed in the Ministry.

“There are not enough people to protect these important sites.  Local landowners who discover artifacts on their property find themselves mired in a system that does not meet the needs of any of the parties involved.

“First Nations do not have the staff resources to deal with the volume of archeological sites uncovered by increased development.  The Archeological Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, while staffed with dedicated professionals, does not have the resources to quickly process claims.”

What results, he says is landowners becoming frustrated because it takes so long for someone to deal with a find.

“These significant pieces of our history,” Macdonald said.

He says that it is unlikely the Bill will ever receive second or third reading as it was introduced by an Opposition Member.  But it does draw attention to the issue.

“These private members bills are really used to push the government in a certain direction.  But what happens is that in the next session you will often see the government come forward with their own bill.”