HERITAGE BC Provincial Roundtables on the State of ... · heritage sector in the province, and...

The State of Heritage 1

The State of HeritageFINAL report and recomendations

HeritageBC

Provincial Roundtables on

Provincial Roundtables on the State of Heritage May 31, 2019 Report prepared by Heritage BC Page 1

TableofContents

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

BACKGROUND 2

PROJECTPURPOSEANDOBJECTIVES 2

PROJECTSCOPEANDLIMITATIONS 3

METHODOLOGY 4

MEETINGLOCATIONSANDPARTICIPATION 4OUTREACHANDPARTICIPATION 4MEETINGFORMAT 5MEETINGREPORT-OUT 6

EXPLORINGTHEMES 8

DEFININGHERITAGE 8INTERSECTIONSBETWEENHERITAGEANDHISTORY 9THEVISIONANDVALUESOFHERITAGE 11HERITAGEINTHEDISCIPLINES 12ARCHAEOLOGY 12ARCHIVES 13BUILTHERITAGE 14MUSEUMSANDTHEIRCOLLECTIONS 15

EVOLVINGTHEPRACTICEOFHERITAGE 16

ORGANIZATIONALEFFECTIVENESSANDCAPACITY 16COLLABORATION 18MAKINGACASE 19FUNDING 19FUTUREOPPORTUNITIESFORHERITAGE 21LEADERSHIP 21CATALYSTSFORCOMMUNICATION:MEETINGS,CONNECTIVITY 21ECONOMICDIVERSITYANDDURABILITYTHROUGHHERITAGECONSERVATION 23ECONOMY 23TOURISM 23ENVIRONMENTALSTEWARDSHIPTHROUGHHERITAGECONSERVATION 25INDIGENOUSPEOPLES 27RESPECTANDTRUTH 27RECONCILIATION 28PROVINCIALSTRUCTURES 29


HERITAGECONSERVATIONACT,LOCALGOVERNMENTACT,HERITAGETOOLS 29STORIESANDSTORYTELLING 32AUTHENTICITY 32TANGIBLE/INTANGIBLE 33COMMUNITY 35EDUCATIONANDYOUTH 36

THEFUTURE 37

IDENTITY,GEOGRAPHY,ISOLATION 37ACOMMONVOCABULARY 38URBAN/NON-URBAN 39

SUMMARYOFFINDINGS 40

RECOMMENDATIONS 41

1.DEVELOPANDCOMMUNICATEAPROVINCIALDEFINITIONOFHERITAGE 432.INDIGENOUSPEOPLES:ACKNOWLEDGEPASTWRONGSANDDEVELOPBRIDGESTOPOSITIVEMUTUALLY-BENEFICIALRELATIONSHIPS 443.DEVELOPSTRATEGIESSUPPORTINGINCLUSIONANDDIVERSITY 464.DEVELOPSTRATEGIESPROMOTINGAWARENESSOFENVIRONMENTALIMPACTS 475.REVISIONOFTHEHERITAGECONSERVATIONACTTOREFLECTCURRENTINTERNATIONALSTANDARDS 486.DEVELOPATOOLKITTOIMPROVEIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHELOCALGOVERNMENTACT,PART15–HERITAGECONSERVATION 497.REVISETHELOCALGOVERNMENTACT,PART15–HERITAGECONSERVATIONTOALIGNWITHCURRENTPRIORITIESANDVALUESOFLOCALGOVERNMENTSANDTHESECTOR 508.DEVELOPSTRATEGIESTOPROVIDELEADERSHIPFORCAPACITYBUILDING 519.IMPROVEFUNDINGOPPORTUNITIESANDALIGNTHEMWITHTHENEEDSOFTHESECTOR 5210.SUPPORTTHESECTORINDESCRIBINGITSECONOMICIMPACTANDRELEVANCE 5311.SUPPORTTHESECTORINDEVELOPINGANDDELIVERINGCONTENTTOBC'SEDUCATIONSYSTEM 5412.TAKINGACTION:SUPPORTFORTHESECTORINCREATINGCATALYZINGMOMENTS 55

APPENDICES 56

ALISTOFPROVINCIALROUNDTABLEMEETINGS 56BDISCUSSIONTOPICSANDSUPPORTINGQUESTIONS 62COVERVIEWOFMEETINGFORMATANDPRESENTATIONOFTOPICS 66DPARTICIPATINGORGANIZATIONS 68

Executive Summary “Thismeetingisoneofthemostexcitingthingstocomealongandthereisagreatopportunity…Willpeoplebeheard?Willsomethinghappen?Willsomethingcomeback?Wehopethismeeting

reallygoessomewhere.Wordsneedtobeturnedtoaction.Withouthope,therewillbenolegacyorheritage.”

ProvincialRoundtableParticipantTheProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritageprojectwascreatedtoassessthestateoftheheritagesectorintheprovince,andidentifynewtrends,challengesandopportunities.Theinformationgatheredinthisstudyisonepieceofamuchlargerpuzzle,andfurtherstepsarenecessarytobuildonitsobservationstoinformthefuturestrategicdirectionsofHeritageBCandtheHeritageBranch,andtoinfluenceprogramandpolicydevelopmentintothefuture.Oraltestimonyisacornerstoneofhistoricalinquiryandthebeginningpointtounderstandinglocalexperience:thus,theoverallgoaloftheroundtableswasto“bringpeopletogethertoshareideas,situations,challenges,successes,relationships,andaspirationsrelatedtoheritageandotherdisciplinessuchasmuseums,archives,archaeology,andartsandculture.”Approximately500individualsparticipatedinthe26meetings,totalling140hours,andanonlinesurvey.Theheritagesectoriseagerforopportunitiestocometogetherforin-depthconversations.Inthisregard,theprojectprovidedanimmediatebenefit,somethingthathadnotbeenanticipatedinitsdevelopment.MeetingswereheldinKelowna,Kamloops,Quesnel,PrinceGeorge,FortSt.John,Terrace,PrinceRupert,Skidegate,Masset,Creston,Fernie,Trail,Nakusp,MapleRidge,Surrey,Burnaby,Vancouver,NorthVancouver,Metchosin,Victoria,Nanaimo,andCampbellRiver.BCHeritageFairsmembersalsoparticipated.MeetingswereopentoanyonewhodeclaredaconnectiontoheritageandthevariedbackgroundsofparticipantsdemonstratedtheexpansiveandinclusivedefinitionofheritageasitispracticedtodayinBC.Participantsincludedpoliticiansandlocalgovernmentstaff,not-for-profitemployeesandvolunteers,archaeologists,archivists,historians,genealogists,consultants,professionalorganizations,tradespeople,Indigenouspeople,andmembersofdiversecommunities.Thefirstmeetingwasheldatthe2018HeritageBCconferenceandthefinalpresentationwasmadeatthe2019HeritageBCconference.EachProvincialRoundtablemeetingexploredanumberofthemesthroughinformalface-to-facediscussion:

• DefiningheritageinBC• Collaborationinconservation• Thevisionandvaluesofheritage• Evolvingthepracticeofheritage• Futureopportunitiesforheritage• Environmentalstewardshipthroughheritageconservation• Economicdiversityanddurabilitythroughheritageconservation

OverallfeedbackfromparticipantscoalescedaroundthecollectivebeliefthatBritishColumbia’sidentityisstrengthenedandrenewedthroughheritageconservation.Theynotedthatheritagehasmany


benefitsfromprotectingthebuiltenvironmenttocreategreatspacesforhumaninteraction,tobuildingsocialcohesionthroughtherecognitionofallpeoplesandallcultures,tohelpingfuturegenerationsmakeinformeddecisions.Astrongvalue,yettobefullyrealized,isitsabilitytobringpeopletogetherthroughthecollectionandtellingofstoriesforpositivechange.

Participantsalsonotedthattheheritagesectorisfacingagreatnumberofchallenges:inruralareasespecially,manynot-for-profitorganizationsarestrugglingtosurvive,andmanylocalgovernmentsdonotactivelyprotectheritagewithclear,accessible,andstrongsupportsthroughpolicy.ParticipantsobservedthatBC’sheritage,whetherthatisbuiltheritage,culturallandscapes,museumcollections,orthecollectivenarrativeofourhistory,isunderthreat.

ThisProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritageReportproposestwelvebroadrecommendations--supportedwithactionsthataimtoevolvecurrentsystems--topositivelyaffectthestateofheritage,andtosupportthesectorinreachingitsaspirations.Theserecommendationsrequireprioritizationinaccordancewithresourcesavailable,andtheirassociatedactionsrequirethedevelopmentofspecificandmeasurablegoals.Someoftheactionscanbeachievedquicklyandwithlimitedresourceinput;otherswillrequireyearsofeffort.Someoftheactionscanbeachievedbytheheritagesector,andotherscanbeachievedonlyfromwithingovernmentstructures.ManyoftheactionsdependonthecontinuedcollaborationandconsultationbetweentheheritagesectorandtheHeritageBranch.

Recommendations: 1. Developandcommunicateaprovincialdefinitionofheritagethatwillunifythesectorandbetter

alignprogramsandserviceswiththesector’swork2. Acknowledgepastwrongsanddevelopprogramsthatleadtopositive,mutually-beneficial

relationshipswithIndigenouspeoples3. Developstrategiessupportinginclusionanddiversityinthesector4. Developstrategiesfosteringawarenessofenvironmentalimpactsofandtothesector5. Developstrategiestoprovideleadershipforcapacitybuildingtomovethesectorbeyondcrisis

management,toenhanceitsstabilityandgrowth,andtoimprovetheconservationofheritageassetsofmanydescriptions

6. RevisetheHeritageConservationActtoreflectthecurrentunderstandingandpracticeofheritageasitisarticulatedininternationalstandardssuchasTheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples(UNDRIP)

7. DevelopatoolkittoimprovetheadoptionoftheLocalGovernmentAct(Section15)toincreaseimplementationandimproveconservationinBC.

8. RevisetheLocalGovernmentAct(Section15)tofullyalignwithcurrentpriorities,capacities,andvaluesoflocalgovernmentsandtheheritagesector

9. Improvefundingopportunitiesspecificallyalignedwiththesector10. Supportthesectorindescribingitseconomicimpactandrelevance11. SupportthesectorindevelopinganddeliveringcontenttoBC’seducationsystem12. Supportthesectorincreatingcatalyzingmomentsthatmarkchangeandcreatemomentum


Background TheProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritageProjectfounditsoriginintheobservationthattheheritagesectorisevolving.Thisperceptionwasafrequenttopicofconversationamongstakeholders,includingHeritageBranchstaffandHeritageBCdirectorsandstaff,whosharedobservations,speculatedonnewdirections,andconsideredtheconditionofthesector.Inearly2018,HeritageBCproposedthatthebestwaytotrulyunderstandthestateofthesectorwouldbetovisitcommunities,tolistentothestewardsofheritage,andtoaskthesepeopletosharetheirchallengesandaspirations.TheHeritageBranchagreed.Similarmeetingshadbeenheld10yearsagoandtheinformationcollectedinthesemeetingsformedthebasisoftheprovince’sstrategy,“OurHeritage–HistoricPlaces.”TheHeritageBranchbelieveditwastherighttimetodrawitscommunitytogetherintheforumofprovincialroundtablestoonceagaininformitsnewdirectionsandstrategies.

Project Purpose and Objectives Theoverallgoaloftheroundtableswastobringtogetherpeople--whohaveaself-declaredinterestorassociationwithheritage--toshareideas,situations,challenges,successes,relationships,andaspirationsrelatedtoheritageandotherdisciplinessuchasmuseums,archives,archaeology,andartsandculture.Alistofparticipatingorganizationscanbefoundintheappendix.ThisgoalwasarticulatedintheConsultingandGeneralServicesAgreementasfollows:

Thepurposeofthisworkwastoassessthestateoftheheritagesectorintheprovince,andidentifynewtrends,challengesandopportunities.InformationgatheredthroughthisprocesswillinformHeritageBC’sandtheHeritageBranch’sstrategicplanningandinfluenceprogramandpolicydevelopment.TheresultswillfacilitatethebestpossiblealignmentbetweenHeritageBC’sandGovernment'smandatesandcollectiveeffortstosupportheritageconservationinBC.

Eachoftheroundtablesfollowedthesamestructurebasedonasetofpredeterminedthemestoensureconsistencythroughouttheprocessandtoenableeachmeetingtocontributetotheoverallgoalsandoutcomesoftheproject.Informationcollectedfromthesemeetingsindifferentpartsoftheprovincewasintendedtodescribethecurrentconditionoftheheritagesectoranditsrelationshipswithassociateddisciplines.Fromthisbaseofreflections,itwasanticipatedthatobservationsandrecommendationswouldleadto

• Increasedknowledge,appreciation,understanding,retention,andmanagementofBC’sculturalhistoryandheritage

• Increasedorganizationalandindividualcapacities• Increasedcommunityengagementandawareness


• Increasedawarenessofdifferingperspectives,approaches,andworldviews• IncreasedrecognitionofandparticipationfromIndigenousanddistinctcommunities• Increasedawarenessandimplementationofbetterpractices• Anexpandedvisionandnewcharacterizationsofheritage,asitrelatestoassociateddisciplines,

leadingtoarevitalizationofconservation,protection,andinterpretationofBC’sheritageandhistory

• Avisionandcalls-to-actionforthesector

Project Scope and Limitations Developedoverseveralmonthsleadinguptothefirstroundtablemeeting,thescopewasdefinedbyestablishingaseriesofdiscussiontopicsandsupportingquestions.Topicswereidentifiedtoprovideafocustowhatwouldotherwisebealimitlessmaintopic--thestateofheritage--butinthisinitialiteration,theyweredesignedtoavoidsettinglimitstothebreadthofconversation.

Theseestablisheddiscussiontopicsformedthebasisforeachmeetingconversation.Allmeetingsworkedwithinthescopeandlimitationsoftheproject.Theplannedtopicsandtheflexibilityofdeliverywerewell-suitedtothemeetings,providingacomfortableenvironmentinwhichparticipantscouldprovidecandidcommentary.Itispossibleparticipantswerefreerintheircommentsbecausethemeetingswereledbyanot-for-profitorganizationinsteadofagovernmentagency.Thesuccessofthemeetingformatisevidencedinthenumberofparticipantsandthequalityofcommentary.

Theoriginalconceptwastoincludeartsandcultureorganizations,buttheselectedtopicswerespecifictotheheritagesectorandsotheconversationsdidnotallowpeoplefromtheartsandculturesectortoeasilyparticipate.Althoughanyonecouldattendthemeetings,theefforttoincludetheartsandculturesectorwasreduced.Thisresultisonlyanoutcomeofmeetingdesign;itshouldbenotedtheroundtableparticipantsstronglybelievearts,culture,andheritageareinextricablylinked.

TheprojectwaslaunchedattheHeritageBC2018conferenceinNewWestminster.AlthoughtheProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritageProjectwasoriginallyconceivedtoinclude19roundtables,atotalof24roundtableswereheld.Tworeviewpanels--oneonVancouverIsland,andoneintheLowerMainland--reviewedandcommentedonthesummaryfindingsandrecommendationsfromtheroundtables.ApresentationanddiscussionofthefindingswaspresentedattheHeritageBC2019conferenceinNanaimo.


Methodology

Meeting Locations and Participation ThemeetingswereheldinKelowna,Kamloops,Squamish,Quesnel,PrinceGeorge,FortSt.John,Terrace,PrinceRupert,Skidegate,Masset,Creston,Fernie,Trail,Nakusp,MapleRidge,Surrey,Burnaby,Vancouver,NorthVancouver,Metchosin,Victoria,Nanaimo,andCampbellRiver.BCHeritageFairsmembersalsoparticipated.Thefirstmeetingwasheldatthe2018HeritageBCconference.SeeAppendixAforalistofmeetingdatesandlocations.

Eachlocationwasstrategicallychosentoactasaregionalhub,sothatameetinglocationcoulddrawparticipantsfromthesurroundingarea.FortSt.Johnwaschosenbecauseofanexistingregionalnetworkofmuseums;twomeetingswereplannedonHaidaGwaiiontherecommendationoftheHaidaGwaiiMuseumatKayLlnagaay;andthesessionwithBCHeritageFairstookplaceattheorganization’srequest.

Outreach and Participation Maincontactswereidentifiedformostlocations.Thesestakeholderswereimportantcontributorstooutreachduetotheirfamiliaritywiththeircommunities.Becauseoftheircommunityconnections,manystakeholdersweretheleadcommunicators,distributingmeetinginvitationsdirectlythroughtheircommunicationchannels.

HeritageBCalsoprovidedextensivedirectemailcommunicationbyusingexistingcontactliststhatweresupplementedwithonlineresearch.

Invitationstothemeetingsweredistributedasbroadlyaspossibleandmeetingswereopentoanyonewhodeclaredarelationshipwithoraninterestinthetopic.Thisresultedinabroadrangeofparticipants,includingpoliticiansandlocalgovernmentstaff,not-for-profitemployeesandvolunteers,archaeologists,archivists,historians,consultants,professionalorganizations,tradespeople,andIndigenouspeople.AsummarylistofparticipatingorganizationsisincludedintheAppendixD.Theprojectmustrecognizetheimpressivenumberofparticipantswhowerewillingtocommittosix-hourmeetings,sometimestravellingseveralhourstoattendameeting.

Avalueoftheprojectwas“nothingaboutus,withoutus”,meaningparticipantscouldexpresspersonally-heldopinions,buttheycouldnotspeakonbehalfofacultureforwhichtheydidnotidentify.Thisvaluewaswellunderstoodbyallparticipantsastheycameintothemeetings.AttherequestofIndigenousparticipants,themeetingsweredocumentedbywrittennotesandrecordingstocapturetheirexactwordsinthereports.


Asnoted,themessageswereremarkablyconsistent,andthemeetingsweretypicallycollegial.Creditmustfirstbegiventotheparticipants,whoapproachedthemeetingsasindividualsalignedincommoninterest.

Meeting Format 24roundtablemeetingswith430participantswereheldbetweenMay2018andFebruary2019.Anonlinesurveyforthosewhocouldnotattendmeetingswasavailable;over65initiatedthesurvey,althoughnotallcompletedit.Alinktothesurveywasincludedwitheveryinvitationfortheroundtables;surveyresultsareincludedinthisreport.

Ameetingformatwasdevelopedtotaketheparticipantsthroughaseriesoftopicstoexplorethebroaderconceptsrelatedtothepracticeofheritage,suchasthedefinition,vision,andvaluesofheritage,eachsupportedwithaseriesofquestionsthatweredesignedtoencourageandsupportconversation.ThetopicsandquestionsweredevelopedbyHeritageBCinconsultationwiththeHeritageBranch.Aspertheprojectscope,themeetingstructurewasspecificallydesignedtobringpeopletogetherinconversationtoshareideas,situations,challenges,successes,relationships,andaspirationsrelatedtoheritageandotherdisciplinessuchasmuseums,archives,archaeology,andartsandculture.Thepredeterminedmeetingstructurewasnotintendedtocapturequantitativeinformation.Nevertheless,theprojectmustrecognizetheimpressivenumberofparticipantswhowerewillingtocommittosix-hourmeetings,sometimestravellingseveralhourstoattendameeting.

Eachmeetingstartedwithalandacknowledgementand,onmanyoccasions,HeritageBC’sstatementwasreadaloud:

Asanorganizationofprovincialscope,HeritageBCrecognizesthatitsmembers,andthelocalhistoryandheritagetheyseektopreserve,occupythelandsandterritoriesofBC'sIndigenouspeoples.HeritageBCasksitsmemberstoreflectontheplaceswheretheyresideandwork,andtorespectthediversityofculturesandexperiencesthatformtherichnessofourprovincialheritage.

Itwasobservedthat,inmostlocations,aformallandacknowledgementdidnotexistorsometimesparticipantswereuncertainifsuchastatementexisted.

Thetopicswerechosentoallowparticipantstheopportunitiestoexploretheirchallengesandaspirationsandtotestsomeoftheprovincialpriorities.Whilethemeetingstructurecouldnotcovereverytopic,itwasbelievedthechosentopicswouldallowforanexpansive,unrestrictedconversation.

EachProvincialRoundtablemeetingexploredanumberofthemesthroughinformalface-to-facediscussion:

• DefiningheritageinBC• Collaborationinconservation


• Thevisionandvaluesofheritage• Evolvingthepracticeofheritage• Futureopportunitiesforheritage• Environmentalstewardshipthroughheritageconservation• Economicdiversityanddurabilitythroughheritageconservation

SeeAppendixBforsupportingquestionsthatwereusedtoencourageconversationsandexplorationoftopics.Eachmeetingunfoldedtosuitthegroupofpeopleandtheconfigurationoftheroom.Thegoalwasalwaystoproduceanenvironmentthatwasconducivetogoodconversation.

HeritageBCledeverymeeting.PaulGravettattendedeverycommunityroundtablemeetingforconsistency.HeritageBCstaffalsoattendingmeetingsasmuchasschedulesandbudgetallowed;LauraSaretskyattended11meetings,andJenniferDunkersonattended4meetings.Allthreewrotenotesandmanyofthemeetingswererecorded.HeritageBranchstaffattendedmeetingsinFortSt.John,Fernie,andVictoria;thestaffprovidednotesfortwoofthemeetings.

Twopeerreviewpanelswereconvenedtocommentonthefinalreportandrecommendations;almostalloftheseparticipantshadalsoattendedoneoftheprovincialroundtablemeetings,sotheywerefamiliarwiththetopicsandroundtablediscussions.Thepeerreviewmeetingsweretoensurethefinalreportappropriatelyreflectedtheroundtablemeetingsandprovidedrepresentativeandwell-conceivedrecommendations.Asmuchaspossible,themake-upofthereviewpanelsreflectedthebroadrangeofexperiencesseenattheroundtables.Peerreviewpanelparticipantsincludedurbanandruralparticipants,andpeoplefromarchaeology,architecture,consulting,localgovernment,thenot-for-profitsector,museums,heritagecommissions,Indigenouscommunities,andChinese-CanadianandJapanese-Canadiancommunities.

Meeting Report-Out Thepredeterminedmeetingformatofestablishedtopicswasdeliveredinallcommunitiessothatdifferingopinionscouldbedetected.

Throughoutthetimetableofmeetings,participantsweretoldtheirwordswouldbecapturedforanhonestreflectionoftheirconcernsandaspirations.ManyofthemeetinggroupsrequestedthatHeritageBCproducereportsfordistributiontomainmeetingcontactsandtotheHeritageBranch.Relyingheavilyontheparticipants’words,17reportswerepreparedtoprovideaccuraterepresentationsofthemeetings.

Participantsunderstoodthiswasanopportunitytobeheard,andthisopportunitywasparticularlyimportanttoIndigenousparticipants,manyofwhomrequestedtheirwordsberespectedandnotaltered.(OneIndigenousparticipantpreparedamulti-pagereportwitharequestherwordsbeusedverbatim.)Asaresult,meetingreportsarelargelybasedonthewordsofparticipants.


Meetingreportsweresynthesizedintomajorthemesasawaytomanagethesubstantialamountofinformationthathadbeencollectedandthatdovetailedwiththebroaderthemesidentifiedinpredeterminedmeetingtopics:definitionofheritage,evolvingpractice,future,visionandvalues,identity,collaboration,environment,andeconomy.Otherthemesnaturallyaroseoutofthesetopics,andthesehavebeencapturedinsectionsoftheirown.Consistentthroughouttheproject,preconceivedideaswerenotimposedontheparticipants.Alearninglessonoftheroundtablesisthatitisnotpossibleand,infact,inappropriate,tocharacterizeaparticipantoracommunity;eachmustmaketheirowndetermination.68peopleinitiatedtheonlinesurvey,althoughnotallcompletedthesurvey.Thesurveywasalsobasedonthe8predeterminedtopics.Afterseveralin-personmeetings,commonthemeswerestartingtoappear.Whenappropriate,andwithoutleadingtheconversationtoapredeterminedconclusion,commonthemesandstatementswereoccasionally"tested"byaskingparticipantstocommentonthethemesandstatements.Typically,participantsagreedwiththethemesandstatementsandtheywouldaddmoredepthtowhathadbeensaidatearliermeetings.Aprincipalvaluewascarriedmeetings:everyparticipanthadtherighttoexpressanopinionandthatopinionwasconsideredtobecorrectaccordingtotheexperienceofthatparticularparticipant.HeritageBC’srolewasnottoimposeideasortoleadconversationstopredeterminedconclusions;itsrolewastolookforstrongthemesthatdescribethestateofheritage.Theprocesswassuccessfulinachievingthatbroadgoalofbringingpeopletogethertoshareideas,situations,challenges,andaspirations.Allideasexpressedinthisreportarebasedonastrongconsensusofthosewhoparticipatedintheprovincialroundtables.Whilesubtledifferencesareduetothechangingmixofparticipantexperiencesandlocations,butoverallthesimilarityofopinions,challenges,andaspirationsamongthemeetingswasstriking.


Exploring Themes

Defining Heritage “Thefocusondefinitionsreflectsthedevelopmentofthesector.”

“Definingiscomplexandnecessary.Itinformseverythingthatfollows.”

Eachmeetingstartedwiththetopicofdefiningheritage.Thistaskprovedtobeascompellingasitwaschallengingtoanswer,andparticipantsoftenreturnedtothistopicthroughouttheday.Itwasnotunusualforparticipantstodwellonthistopiclongerthananyother.

Definitionsofheritageincludedthefollowing:

“Heritageisthetangibleandintangiblerecordofhumanimprintontheworld.”

“Ourheritageisourenvironment.Cultureispartofourenvironment;weneedourculturetotakecareofourenvironment.Ifwedon’ttakecareoftheland,weloseourculture.”

“Storiesofthepastareourstories…totell,sing,draw,writeandrecord….Everyone’sstoriesareimportant,andtheircontributionsshouldbeequallyvalued.Forthistohappen,everyoneneedstobegivenavoice.”

“Heritageistheactiverecognitionofthehumanstory.Thedefinitionisevolving,itneedsdynamismthatmovesthroughtime.Heritageisaverb,notanoun.”

“Ournationandpeoplewilltellourownstoryandthatistheheartofwhatwearetalkingabout,thatiswhatheritageis,tellingourownstories.Mywordsandmyvoice.”

Participantsconsistentlydescribedheritageininclusiveandexpansivetermsthatfocusedonsocialorhumanisticqualitiesratherthanitstraditionalfocusonbuildingfabric.Astrongconsensusemergedthatheritageisabouthumaninteractionwitheachotherandthesurroundingenvironment.

Whileitisinclusiveofallpeopleandallcultures,heritageisnotabouttheassimilationofcultures,butrathertheappreciationofdistinctionsbetweencultures.Recognizingheritagehaslongbeentoldoutwardfromthevaluesandpoint-of-viewofsettlerhistory,participantsarticulatedthebeliefthatitisimperativeheritagemustnowincludeallvoicesandallstories,bothgoodandbad.ParticipantsfrequentlysaidstorieshavebeentoldprimarilyfromthepointofviewofEuropeannewcomers,anditisnowtimetohearotherinterpretationstothesestories.


Fornon-Indigenouspeople,heritagetendstohavean“otherness”ora“thingness”--wordsusedbytheparticipants--suggestingheritagecanbeidentifiedanddescribedassomethingseparatefromtheindividual.Someparticipantspointedouttheword"heritage"doesnotexistinmanyIndigenouslanguages,andthatIndigenousconceptsofheritagecanbetheembodiedspiritoftradition,belief,andenvironment,inextricablylinkingpast,presentandfuture.

Differentculturesmayhavedifferentrelationshipswithheritage,buttheydescribeitinsimilarbroadtermsandbelievethestoryofheritagecouldandshouldbebettertold.OneIndigenousparticipantcommented,whencomparingameetingdiscussionwithstudiesofIndigenousheritageandculture,“Thesethemesaresimilaracrossthecountry.”

ParticipantsagreedthatIndigenousculturehasbeenappropriated,dismissed,orexcludedbypastheritagepractices,thatworkmustbedonetoacknowledgepastwrongs,andthattheheritagesectormuststrivetobetrulyinclusive.“Weneedtoreframeaswetalkaboutheritage…Weneedtounderstandheritagesothatwe[Indigenouspeoples]canbeapartofit.”

Heritageasalinkbetweenpast,present,andfuturewascommontomostmeetingsandmanybelievethatunderstandingthepasthelpsustomakebetterdecisionsinthefuture.“Heritageisknowingyourpast,keepingitnow,andpassingitontofuturegenerations.”

Severalpeopletalkedaboutheritageasanaction,whichdistinguishesbetweenpreservationandtransformationandreflectsonthelivinglandscape.“Heritageisnotjuststatic,itisliving…itneedsdynamismthatmovesthroughtime.Heritageisaverb,notanoun.”

Participantsinmetropolitanareasalsoexplainedheritageinexpansiveterms,butperhapsnotwiththesameemphasisofruralparticipants.

Asmentioned,definingheritagewasthemostcompellingandchallengingtopicofeachmeeting.Thisunderscoredarealneedtoexplainthissectorandthepurposeofthework.“Definingiscomplexandnecessary.Itinformseverythingthatfollows.”Othersexpressedaneedforacommonunderstanding.“Cleardefinitionsareimportantandvaluabletoexplainsothatwecanconvincepolicymakersofourneeds.”

Intersections between Heritage and History Whendefiningheritage,thedistinctionbetweenheritageandhistoryaroseasatopicintheurbanmeetings.

Historywasdescribedasanacademictopic,whileheritagewasdescribedas“howwecopewithwhathappened...howwedistillitintowhatisimportanttous.Acontinuallyevolvingprocess.”


Participantsnotedthatheritageiswhatmatterstoacommunity,whereashistoryjusthappensandisnotnecessarilywhatisimportant.Heritageismoreencompassingthanhistory.Historyisstudyingandheritageisdoing.Historyisobservationalandheritageisconnectedness.“Heritagehasarichnessthatsuggeststhatitdrawsonexperienceandhumanity.”Anotherimportantdifferenceisheritageasanactivity.Toparaphraseacommentatanothermeeting,“heritageisnotastate,itisanaction.We‘do’heritage.”Morethansemantics,thisconversationunderscoreskeyideasfoundinthedefinitionofheritage.Heritageisdistinguishedthroughexperience,action,interpretation,andvaluation.


The Vision and Values of Heritage Participantsdescribedheritageaslayeredstoriesthatincludeallvoicesandcultures;itisvalues-based,understoodasthoseaspectsofthepastascribedvaluebyindividualsandgroups.Participantsarealsoawarethatinclusionisawholisticconcept:exhibitioncontent,language,andinterpretationsmobilizedbythesectorinitsworkneedstobeevaluatedsothattheyarenotexclusive(intentionallyorunintentionally)ofmarginalizedpeopleswhoarepartofthefabricofBC’shistory.

Tounderstandheritageasawholisticandvalues-basedconcept,thesectormustbewillingtoacknowledgepastinjusticesandtorecognizethatBC’sheritagespansmanythousandsofyearsandincorporatesthelivesandworkofmanycultures.Theseongoingactsofculturalvaluationfosterthedynamicstateofheritageandarekeytodefiningandidentifyingheritage.


Heritage in the Disciplines Participantsrecognizedthatunderstandingsofthescopeanddefinitionofheritageisnuancedacrossdisciplines.

Archaeology Manyseearchaeologyasacommercializedpracticethathasastrongerconnectiontoindustrythantoheritage--thisbecausemanybelievearchaeologistsarecontractedtofulfilllegalrequirementsforcorporations.

Incontrast,itisalsoitisconsideredawaytodeepenthestoriesofheritage--andsomeIndigenousgovernmentshavehiredarchaeologiststohelpthemreclaimthestoriesoftheirpastandtheirtiestoplace:

“Archaeologyisdedicatedinequalmeasureacrosstheprovincetocommercialpurposesandtoprovidesupportforlandclaims.ThereareagrowingnumberofIndigenousarchaeologistsandtraditionalusestudies.Itisbeingdrivenbythelocalbands.”

“Somecommunitiesareworkingascollectivesinresponsetoproposeddevelopmentsandusingarchaeologyasameanstosharetheresponsibilityofstewardship,whilealsorecognizingeachcommunityclaimtopartsoftheassertedtraditionalterritories.Theirownarchaeologicalteamsareconductingthefieldworkanddraftingreportsinresponsetoprojectsthatimpactmultiplecommunities.Inthisway,archaeologyisalsobeingusedasanassertionoftitleandrights.”

Thetraditionaltemporaldemarcationbetweenarchaeologicalartifactsandhistoricalartifacts--setat1846forthepurposesoftheHeritageConservationActdoesnothaverelevanceinthecurrentpracticeofheritage,accordingtosomeparticipants.Itisanarbitrarydatefromatimewhenthefieldofarchaeologywasgainingtractionasadiscipline,andparticipantsconsistentlydescribeditasbeingartificialandinconsistentwiththebroaderinterpretationandpracticesofheritage.

Manyparticipantswereunawareofthisdistinctionanditsimplications.Heritagesitesandobjectsareaffordedseveralcategoriesofautomaticprotection,oneofwhichisbasedonthe1846datecriteria.ApermitisrequiredtoconductanytypeofworkinthepublicandprivatesectorsasexplainedintheHeritageConservationAct(HCA).However,archaeologycanbeconductedonheritagesitesthatarenotprotectedundertheHCA.Itisnotedthatthesenuancedapproachestoarchaeologyarenotnecessarilyrecognizedorunderstoodbythesectoratlarge.

Manyparticipantscharacterizedthedatedemarcationascreatingatwo-tiersystembasedoncolonialistideasthatseparateIndigenousfromnon-Indigenous.“ThesesystemsweredevelopedbycolonialCanada…Thismeansheritagehasbeendefinedbysettlerswithprivilege.”ThisisparticularlytrueofIndigenouspeople,whohaveahistoryspanningthousandsofyears,andwhorecognizeafluidtimelineofpastandpresentleadingtothefuture.


Indigenousparticipantsexpressedfrustrationwithlegislationthatrelegatestheirheritagetothepast,whilenon-Indigenousheritageistreatedassomethinginthepresent.“WhenyouuseheritageinaFirstNationscommunity,youareupagainst1846andallthatbaggage.”

“SeparatingheritagefromarchaeologyisveryproblematicinthatitdeepensthedividebetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousvaluesandrights.Itmaintainstheseparationbetween'usandthem.'Itmakesithardforustoworktogether.”

“HowwepracticearchaeologyinBCcomesbacktobiteus…ArchaeologyliterallyburiesFirstNationsheritage.”

Itshouldbenoted,thepracticeofarchaeologyitself--especiallywhenitisusedtorevealaricherstory--wasnotunderattackbyparticipants.However,participantsopposethedistinctionofarchaeologyandheritageandseeasthisasdetrimentaltotheoverallsectorandcountertotheeffortsofreconciliation.

Archives Whoisanarchivist?Whatisanarchive?

“Howwevaluearchivesandarchivalrecordsispartoftheproblem.”

“Archivesneedatonofsupportandadvice.Thereisnolegislationaroundtheprotectionofarchives.Asthingschange,howarewedefiningtheonlinearchives?Everythingaboutthedisciplineisevolving.”

Themaintenanceandstabilityofarchivesisacommonconcernthroughouttheprovince,butthesituationisparticularlyacuteinruralcommunities.Inmanyruralcommunities,thelocalarchivistisalay-personwhohasaparticularinterestinthecommunityandwhodecidestocreatearecord.Itwasreportedthatthereareanumberof"basementsarchives"alongtheeastsideofKootenayLake,whichwerestartedbysuchlaypeople.Whileadmirable,therearemanychallengestotheapproach:systemsandbestpracticesarenotinplace;properarchivingmaterialsarenotused;andthecollectionsareoftenheldprivately.

ThetownofSilverton,forexample,ceasedtosupportthelocalarchiveandthecollectionwasimminentlythreatened.Atthetimeofthemeeting,aproposaltomovethecollectiontoNewDenverwasunderconsideration.AsmallcommunitynearCrestonlostitsbasementarchivewhenthecollectionwasdiscardedafterthehomeownerpassedaway.Itispossiblethiscommunitylostitsonlywrittenhistoricalrecord.

Inthiscaseandinothers,peopleexpressedaneedforhelp:forknowledge,sothattheycouldimprovetheirapproachestoarchiving,andforfunding,sothattheycouldpurchasearchivalmaterialsand


equipment.Unfortunately,acquiringthesecapacitieswillnotresolveotherissues,includinglackofpersonnel,availabletimeandappropriatestorage.

Thissituationisfoundthroughoutthesector,asdescribedin“Capacities”.

Built Heritage AlthoughbuiltheritagehasbeentraditionallybeensynonymouswithheritageinBC,itwasoftenabsentfromthediscussionondefiningheritage.ThenotableexceptiontothisstatementwasVictoria--acitywellassociatedwithbuiltheritage--whereconversationsfocusedonthebuiltenvironmentmorethanatanyothermeeting.

Participantsatnumerousmeetingsdidnotsuggestbuiltheritageisnolongerimportantorshouldbevaluedless.Instead,participantsstronglyfocussedonthesocial/humanisticaspectsofheritageandtheydescribedthebuiltenvironmentisanelementofthislargerideaofheritage,standingasamarkerofacommunity’shistoryandstoriesandarepresentationofpasttechniques,traditions,andstyles.

“Builtheritagetellsthestoryofthecommunity…thebuildinghastoconnectthroughastory.”

“Buildingsmaybegone,butthereisstillaconnectiontotheplacewhereitstood.Itcomesdowntointerpretation.”

Manyparticipantssuggestedbuildingsarenotsignificantmerelybecausetheyexist,butbecausetheyareascribedvalueandtheycontributetothestoryofplace,time,people,andcommunity.Oneparticipantnoted,“Thisnewknowledgeneedstoincludehowpeoplelivedtheirday-to-daylives,theirculture,entertainment,andself-sufficiency.”

Whileparticipantstypicallyemphasizedthesocial/humanisticqualitiesofheritage,itdoesnotmeantheyareunconcernedabouttheretentionofthebuiltenvironment.Oneparticipantsummeditupinthefollowingwords:

“ThereisacrisiswiththeprotectionofheritagebuildingsinCanada.Howwillthebuildingbemaintainedandkeptup?Ifitisjustaboutthestory,itiseasytosaywedonotneedthebuildinganymore.Therealityisbuildingsarecomingdown,eventhosewiththeprotection.”

Conservationtechniquesarenotwell-knownthroughouttheprovince,themajorityoflocalgovernmentshavenotadoptedheritageconservationtools,andfundingiscriticallylow.


Museums and their collections Museumsareconsideredheritageinstitutions,astheytellstoriesthroughtheartifactsthatconstitutetheircollections.Likebuiltheritage,participantsdonotbelieveartifactsintrinsicallypossesssignificance;rather,thesignificancecomesfromthevaluethatisascribedtothem(byanindividualoragroup)andfromthestorythattheartifacthelpstorepresent.Likethebuiltenvironment,artifactsareelementsofheritagethatstandasmarkersofacommunity’shistoryandstories.Manymuseummanagersspokeoftheneedtore-examinetheircollections,exhibits,andinterpretivematerialinordertobetterrepresentthediversityoftheircommunities.Theyalsospokeoftheneedtoexplorethepotentialofvirtualrealityinordertoreachnewaudiences.Theroleoftechnologiesinmuseumsisuncertain,inpartbecausetechnologycontinuestoevolveatafastpace.Manymuseumworkersbelieveitisunlikelyavirtualcopyofanartifactwillbeasubstitutefortherealthing,buttechnologymighthelptogeneratecuriosity.Lackofstafftrainingandtime,insufficientfunds,andthepossibilityofreducedattendancewerecitedaschallenges.Otherchallengesincludemanagingcollectionsthataretoolargeortoounfocussed,establishingcollectionsofpresent-dayartifacts,anddeaccessioning.FundingisparticularlychallengingduetoanuneasyfitwiththeBCArtsCouncil.TypicalexhibitionprogramsandcollectingarenoteligibleforfundingthroughtheBCAC.Museummanagersoftenfeeltheymusttailortheirprogramsinordertomeeteligibilitycriteria.


Evolving the Practice of Heritage Theevolutionofthesectorwasoneoftheexploredthemes.

De-emphasizingthebuiltenvironmentandpromotingthesocialaspectsofheritageareindicatorsthatthesectorisevolvinginitsapproachestoandpracticesofheritage.

Severalgroupswereaskediftheyfelttheywouldhavehadthesameconversationinthepast,saytwoorfiveortenyearsago.Alargegroupinaruralareawasemphaticinitsresponse:No.Agroupinanurbansettingsaidtheconversationbeganyearsagoandithadnotadvancedintheinterveningtime.Therewasastrikingcontrastofoptimismandpessimism.Themeetingsdidnotprovideopportunitiestodelveintotheseresponses,butitisinterestingtonotetheruralgrouptalkedmostlyabout"social"heritage,whiletheurbangroupfocusedmoreonthebuiltenvironment.)

“Wehavecomesofarfromtheattitudesthathistoryhastobewritten.”

Heritage“willevolveifmorepeopleareinvolved.Thisshouldhappenwithmorecommunitymeetingsandeventsthatareadvertisedtothecorrectaudience…example:morecommunitymembersfromthecommunity,differentagegroups–toincludechildren/teenagersandyoungadults,socialmedia,youthgroups,etc.”

“Thereisagreatdisconnectbetweenpolicyandadvocacyworkbeingdoneinternationally,nationally,regionallyandlocallyandontheground.Manyseemunawareofthelargerconversationsaroundheritage,theworkbeingdoneattheUN,bygroupsliketheFirstNationsLeadershipCouncil,orevenwithinBC,whichgroupsaredoingwhatworkonculturalheritage.Thissuggestsmoreworkneedstobedonetobringcohesiontothesector,toadvanceratherthanduplicateefforts,tocommunicateandnetwork,tobeinclusiveandopen.”

Organizational Effectiveness and Capacity Onoccasion,acommunitywoulddescribeasituationuniquetothatarea.However,thatsituationdidnotaffecttheoverallconclusion.(FernieandSparwooddescribedastrongpulltowardAlbertaduetotheirlocationinaneastward-facingvalley.Althoughauniquesetting,theconversationinFernieemphasizedtheinfluencesofgeography,isolation,andlocalidentity,themesthatwereheardthroughouttheprovince).

Subtledifferencesbetweenurbancommunitiesandruralcommunitiesweredetected,buttheprojectdidnotrevealanythingthatwasnotalreadyknown.Non-urbanareasconsistentlycitedlackoffundingandothercapacities,challengeswithsuccession,isolationandlackofconnectivity,andlackofinfrastructureandgovernmentalsupport.Organizationsinnon-urbanareasaremorelikelytobemanagedbyvolunteers.


Urbanareashavegreateraccesstoservicesandfundingasthelocalgovernmentsaremorelikelyhaveadoptedheritageprograms.Nodoubturban-basedorganizationsalsohavefundingchallenges,butthiswasnotexpressedtothesamedegreeasbynon-urbanorganizations.

Collaborationsandthedefinitionofheritageweretwoothertopicsthatrevealedsubtle,butnotsubstantivedifferences.

Takencollectively,thereisanundercurrentoffearfornon-urbanparticipantsthatdoesnotseemtoexistforurbanparticipants(oratleastwasnotexpressedinthesameway).Thisisstemsfromconcernsforthefutureofheritagestewardshipandincludesdecliningvolunteerism,declininginterestinhistoryandheritagewithyoungergenerations,overtaxedworkloads,limitedfundingopportunities,andlackofknowledgeandexpertise.Not-for-profitorganizationsfeeltheyhavereachedthelimitsoftheircapacities,whichincludesspace,expertise,knowledge,andfinancialandhumanresources.Localgovernmentworkersdiscussedbudgetaryandpoliticalconstraintsandlackofhumanresources:“Experience,knowledgeandcapacityaremissing.Whenprojectscometolight,thereisalackofconfidence.”

Whilethevisionforheritageisexpansiveandinclusive,manyorganizationsbelievetheyare,atbest,onlyabletomaintainthestatusquo.Theyfeeltheyareinsurvivalmode,andtheyareunwillingtoassumenewresponsibilitiesduetothecurrentsituation.

“Therearesomanythingspeoplewanttoimprove,butgroupsstruggleduetolackofcapacitiesandpersonnel.Smallergroupshavetocompeteagainstorganizationswithmuchmorecapacity.Educatinggroupsincapacitybuildingisanimportantpartoftheprocess.”

Theimpactsofreducedcapacityaresignificant,andtheymustberecognized:“Theseresources[experience,knowledge,andfinancialandhumanresources]areintegraltoallowforrelevancy.Theyarethereallimitationsfacedbyorganizationswantingtoembracereconciliation.”

Expertiseandknowledgearenotreadilyavailabletomostorganizations.Conferencesaretooexpensivetoattend,andtheyaregenerallyprogrammedforlarger,moreurban-basedorganizations.Webinarsandonlineresourcesareavailable,buttheydonotappeartobeasolution.

Face-to-facemeetingsarethepreference,especiallywhenameetingisconvenedbyanexternalagency.Itisnotedthatorganizationswantaccesstoinformation,buttheywanttobeabletoapplythebestpracticesthemselves.

Lackoffundingisaconsistenttheme;fundingisseenasameanstoanend,suchassupportingcollaborationsthatwouldnototherwiseoccur.


Fundingtoincreasecapacityisneededbut,byitself,itisnotasolution.Anorganizationwithnewlyacquiredknowledgeisnotnecessarilybetteroffifworkersarenotavailabletoputthenewknowledgeintopracticeoriftheydonothaveaccesstotheproperequipmentandmaterials.

Collaboration Collaborationisstronglydesired,anditisagreedthereismuchtobegainedbyworkingtogether:

“Collaborationisameansofsurvivalinsmallcommunities.Sometimes,heritageplacescansurviveonlywhenorganizationsworktogetherforawin-winsolution.”

However,thereappearstobemanyimpediments:leadershipislacking;timeandresourcesarenotavailable;thecollaborativeprocessisnotfullyunderstood;andmanageableandachievableprojectshavenotbeenidentified.

“Collaborationisanotherwaytoconnectorganizationsandindividuals,butitcannothappenwithoutconnections–evencollaboration–withfunders.”

Collaborationhasmanyvalues,suchassharingandlistening,whichareimportantstepstowardunderstandingandreconciliation,anditisseenasawaytoincreasecapacitiesandtoachievemutualgoals.Collaborationhasthepotentialofbreakingdownbarriersandbuildingcommunitybybringingtogetherpeopleofdiverseculturalbackgroundsandexperiences:“WorkingwithmorethanonecommunityinaNation,workingwithdifferentsectorsofacommunity,knowingwhentoworkwithlanguagespeakers,elders,youth,etc.canchangetheconversation.Ethicalandeffectiveengagement,decolonizationandacommitmenttobuildingknowledgejointlycanhelpthecommunityworktogetherinagoodway.”Lackofcollaborationisanoutcomeofthecurrentstateofcapacity,suchasfunding,andisexacerbatedbythelackofcatalysts,suchasleadership.Manyparticipantsdescribedorganizationsstretchedtothemaximumoftheirlimitsandunabletotakeonnewactivities,suchasnewcollaborations,withoutadditionalinputs.Collaborationdidnotelicitthesamelevelofconversationinthemetropolitanareasasitdidinthemoreruralareas.

“Iwouldliketoseemorecollaborationandsharingofinformation.Thathasgottohappen.Everyoneisworkingreallyhardbutseparately.Thatiswhatisreallyvaluableaboutthis.Itisaplacetohaveaconversationwithotherpeopleworkinginthesector.Weneedtohelpeachother.Peoplearedoingthesamethingsbutindifferentcapacities.Thereisalotofgoodworkgoingon,butwearen’ttalkingtoeachother.”


Asseenelsewhere,therecanbeadisconnectbetweenthestewardsofheritageand,assuggestedhere,fundingagencies:“Thereisadifferencebetweentop-downandbottom-up.Ifthiscomesfromthecommunity,that’sonething.Butpartoftheproblemisthegrantinginstitutionsthathaveaone-size-fits-allform,whichdoesnotsuiteverysituation.Theyexpectboxestobeticked,whichsaystheycaremoreaboutthatthanthevalueofcollaboration.”

Making a Case Manypeopleexpressedaninabilityto“maketheircase”toinfluencers,suchaspoliticiansandfunders.Typically,thisisknowinghowtoexpressdifferenttypesofvaluesothatafunderorpoliticianisencouragedtoprovideorincreasesupport.Makingacaseis,infact,complicatedandtherearemanytheoriesandapproaches.Anotherchallengeisthelackofinformationthatisavailabletoorganizations.Obtainingtherightinformationrequiresforethought,research,andanalysis,sometimesdoneovermanyyears.Unavailablemeasuringsystems,lackofpersonnel,andinsufficientfundsareotherfactorsthatpreventproperdatacollection.Heritageworkersarefrustratedtheynotabletoconveyandconvinceinfluencersofthequalitativeandquantitativevaluesoflocalhistory;theyfeeltheirworkandinterestsareunderappreciatedandinsufficientlyrecognizedandsupported.Twopoliticianswhoattendedworkshopsdidnotbelieveheritageprovidedatangiblebenefittotheircommunities.Whenagroupofparticipantswasaskedwhattheywouldexcludefromtheirdefinitionofheritage,acouncillorresponded“economy.”Consideringthelowlevelofsupportfromlocalgovernments(e.g.heritageconservationprotectionsandfunding),thiscouldbeindicativeofpoliticians’opinionsrelativetothecontributionsofheritagetotheircommunities.

Funding Fundingwasthemostfrequentlymentionedproblem.ThecurrentleveloffundingishavingseriousramificationsonthestewardshipofBC’shistoryandheritage.Purposefulfunding–tostimulatecollaborations,improvestaffingandcompensationlevels,addressshrinkingbudgetsandincreasingcosts–isurgentlyneeded.

“Ithinkweareoverwhelmedwithourindividualresponsibilitiesthatwetendtoworkinsilos.Everyoneissobusytheydon’toftentakethetimetodothat.Itisasymptomofmoney.Resourcesarearealimpediment.Moneywouldcorrecttheproblembygivingorganizationsmorestaffandtobemoreadeptatdealingwitheverythingtheyneedtodosoyouwouldn’tfeellikeyoucouldn’ttakethetimeouttospendthetime.”


Manyfundingprogramsaretooonerousforsmallerorganizations.Theapplicationandreportingrequirementsaredisproportionatetothesmallsizeofmanygrants,andmanyorganizationsdonothavethefinancialmeanstoprovidematchingfunds.Toomanygrantprogramsonlysupportprojectsandthisshort-termfocusdoesnotsupportorganizationalgrowthorsustainability.Manygrantprogramsuselanguageandincludeexpectationsthatarenotsuitedtosmaller,oftenvolunteer-runorganizations.MuseummanagersfrequentlyexpressedfrustrationwiththecurrentfundingstructureastheirprojectsorprogramswereoftenconsideredineligiblebytheBCArtsCouncil.Assuch,museummanagersfeel“thereisnoplaceforus[inthefundingsystem].”

“TheProvinceneedstoputmoremoneyintoheritageatthelocallevel…TheProvincehasaverynarrowfocuswhichmeanstheyaren’treallyhelpingalotofheritageintheprovince.Theyuse‘benefittoallpeopleintheprovince’asatouchstoneformakingdecisionsregardingfundingandsupport.”“WhentheProvincefundsmultipleorgsorprocesses,thereneedstobeaconnectionbetweenthework.Thecurrentmodeloffundingresultsindisconnectedprojectsandmakesitchallengingforthefieldtoadvance.”

Whilethegovernmentmaybefocusedonthe"benefittoallpeopleintheprovince,"mostroundtableparticipantsarefocusedonlocalidentity.Theprioritiesofthegovernmentandstewardsofheritagearenotaligned.(ThisdivideisfurtherexploredunderIdentity.)

“Fundingenablescontinuitywhichissoimportantfororganizations.Fewerpeoplearedoingmorewithless.Stablecoreoperationalfundingthatgrowsatareasonablerateisneededsothatyoucankeepyourstaff.Thissectorisnotverygoodatrecognizingthatweareinthebusinessofknowledgeandwhensomeoneretires,welosethatknowledge.Itisaboutsuccessionmanagement.Coreoperationalfundingandmentorshiparehuge.”


Future Opportunities for Heritage

Leadership TheProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritagebroughttogetherhundredsofpeople,allofwhomarepassionateaboutheritageandtheircommunitiesdespitethemanychallengestheyface.However,thereisafeelingthatthelimitsofcapacitiesandenergyhavebeenreachedandparticipantsdonotbelieveitispossibletoaddtotheirworkloadsortoproducemoreprojects.

Thelackofaleaderorcatalystisaconsistentobservation–itisarecognitionthatsomeoneorsomethingthatwillgalvanizepeoplearoundaprojectismissing.

TheProvincialRoundtablesprovidedaperfectexample:despitetherelativesmallnessofthecommunitiesandthecommoninterestsoftheparticipants,manypeoplehadnotmetpreviouslyand,eveniftheyhad,theywerenotnecessarilyfamiliarwitheachother’swork.Themeetingsprovidedtheneededcatalysttobringpeopletogether;manyparticipantsexpressedtheirenthusiasmforthebenefitsderivedfromsharingandlearning.

Atalmosteveryroundtable,peopleexpressedhowmuchtheyappreciatedcomingtogethertomeettheircolleaguesandtolearnfromoneanother.But,despitethesebenefits,theparticipantsdidnotforeseethepotentialofconveningasecondmeeting.Timeandmoneywerecitedasobstacles.Toemphasizetherestraintsfacingmanyorganizations,onemuseummanagerpointedoutherannualtravelbudgetisonly$50.Othermanagerspointedthatwhentheyattendameeting,theirmuseumsareclosed.

“Thereneedstobeanexternalcatalyst–eitherfromlocalgovernments,organizationsorindividuals.Thecatalystofpositivechangerequiresresources,suchasplanning,money,andexpertise.”

“Meetingsarehelpfulforsharinginformation,butweneedcatalyststokeepthemgoing.Havingsomeonetospearheadorguideisveryimportant.”

Catalysts for Communication: Meetings, ConnectivityWhilethepurposeofthemeetingswastodiscussthestateofheritage,theroundtablemeetingsofferednumerousdirectbenefitsandvaluefortheparticipants.Mostnotably,themeetingsbroughtpeopletogether,manyforthefirsttime,toshareinformationandtolearnfromeachother.

Theroundtablesprovidedrareopportunitiesformanyoftheparticipantstocometogetherforintensivediscussions.Asoneparticipantsaid,toemphasizetheimpactoftheroundtable,“Wemeet,butwedonottalk.”


Manyparticipantsexpressedadesireforsimilarmeetingsinthefuture,althoughtheydidnotforeseethepotentialofconveningforasecondmeeting.Lackoftime,funding,andleadershipwerereasonsgiven.

“Wetalkalotaboutcommunityengagement.Itisreallyinterestingbecauseitisreallymisunderstood.Inthelargercontext,itisnetworkingandcollaboratingwithotherorganizations.Atitsfinest,itisagoodthinganditiswhereweareheaded.Inordertoachieveit,alltheinvolvedorganizationsneedtoshuttheirdoorstomeet.Ifwehadaninfusionofmoney,wewouldfeelbetteraboutthenetworkingandbuildingcommunityrelationships,whichtakestimeandongoingcommitments.Wearegoingtoneedrelationshipsmoreandmoreandstreamliningservicesandworkingtogether.Itisimperativeandallofthefunderswanttoseeit.IlikethatandIthinkthat’sexcitingandvaluable,butitiscostingalotanditishardtodo.”

Theroundtablesrevealedtheextenttowhichthesectorcanbesiloed.Acommunitythatcannotfindwaystomeetonamostbasiclevelisacommunitythatwillnotrealizethebenefitsofnetworkingandcollaboration.

“Ifeellikeasmallplayer.I’mreallyappreciativeofbeinghereandhavingthisopportunity.Ifthereweremoreopportunitiesoranotherstepinthisprocess.Howdowestayconnectedandengaged?”


Economic diversity and durability through heritage conservation

Economy Oneofthepredeterminedtopicswas“Economicdiversityanddurabilitythroughheritageconservation,”whichisfoundintheProvince’sheritagestrategy.Inpresentingthetheme,“economy”wasnotdefinedsothatparticipantscouldapproachthetopicthroughtheirownexperiencesandperceptions.

Overall,thistopicdidnotresonatewiththeparticipants,anditwouldbesafetosaytheconnectionbetweeneconomyandheritageisnotwellunderstood.Organizationsexpresseddifficultiesinmakingacaseforheritage,whichwouldrequiremeasuringandanalyzingrevenuegenerationandimpacts.

Asnotedabove,acouncilloroffered“economy”asanexclusionfromhisdefinitionofheritage.Amayorofasmallcommunitysuggestedthereisnoeconomicbenefittothelocalgovernmentfromtheheritagesector(themayorwasdescribingherperceptionofasituation;shewasnotofferingacriticism).

Participantsinurbanareasdescribedastrugglebetweenheritageconservationandrealestatedevelopment.Aninterestingdichotomywasraised:thepriceoflandanddevelopment,ingeneral,isthreateningconservationandpreservation(e.g.naturalandbuiltsites),whiledevelopmentrestrictions(thatareuniquetoheritageconservation)canmakeconservationprojectsfinanciallyunviable.

WhileHeritageBCpreparesaneconomicimpactstudyonanannualbasis(onbehalfoftheHeritageBranch),whichdemonstratesconsiderableimpactonaprovinciallevel,itisclearlocalimpactisnotunderstoodorappreciated.Participantsspokeofintangiblebenefits,suchascontributingtoamorelivablecommunity,butitwasrarethatparticipantsspokeofmeasurablebenefitsandeconomicspin-offs,suchasjobcreation,purchaseofmaterialsandservices,andmerchandisesales.

Tourism Throughouttheprovincialroundtablemeetings,manypeopleexpressedchallengesrelatedtothetourismsector.Itisbelievedthetourismmarketing,sometimesaccompaniedwithgenericorinappropriateimagery,isnotalwaysrepresentativeofthedistinctqualitiesofanarea,asoneparticipantnoted,“Tourismpromotesmisconceptions.”

Indigenouspeoplespokeabouttheappropriationoftheirimagerytopromotetheprovinceandaboutthelackofcompensationandrecognitionforwhatistaken.“Indigenouscultureisimportanttotourism.BCisrecognizedbyitandthebrand“SupernaturalBC”isused.ButwhatisthevaluationoftheIndigenouscultureandtherecognitiontoBC?Thisrelationshipneedstochange.Alotofknowledgeistakenawayandwhatisgivenback?Thereneedstobereciprocity.”

Tourismisbelievedtohavebothpositiveandnegativeimpacts.Touristsarenotrespectfulofthepeopleorplaces,andtheycanposearisktotheenvironment.


Overall,asynergyappearstobemissingbetweenthetourismsectorandtheheritagesector(specifically,smallercommunityorganizations).Manyheritagestewardsfeeltheirpriorityistotellalocalstorytothelocalcommunityandnottocatertoatouristaudience.Participantsareconcernedaboutthepotentialdamagetoheritagesitesandlandscapes,organizationsdonothavethefinancesandstaff,localeconomicdevelopmentofficesdonotalwaysinvolveheritageorganizations,andmanyorganizationsandcommunitiesaresimplynotpreparedfortourism.Asseenelsewhere,thisisaresultoflackofcapacity.Manysmallerheritageorganizationsandtheircommunitiesdonothavetheinfrastructures,financing,andpersonneltoputintoplaceacomprehensiveframeworktosupporttourism.Inaddition,localtourismbureausandlocalgovernmentsdonotalwaysrecognizewhatheritageandhistorycancontributetotourism.


Environmental stewardship through heritage conservation “Environmentalstewardshipthroughheritageconservation”wasoneoftheeighttopicsintroducedatmostofthemeetings;thisphraseisfoundintheprovincialheritagestrategy.Adefinitionof"environment"wasnotprovidedsothatparticipantscouldapproachthetopicthroughtheirownexperiencesandperceptions.

Theapproachtothistopicwasbroadandinconsistent,andthedefinitionof"environment"couldrangefromasettingoratmospherecreatedby(forexample)ahistorictowncentretolands,forests,andwater.Conceptsofenvironmentalprotection,climatechange,andcarbonreductionwereinfrequentlyreferenced,althoughsomeparticipantsremarkedthatheritagehasthecapacitytodescribeclimatechange.

BritishColumbiawassettledbynon-Indigenouspeoplesbecauseofitsenvironmentalrichness,andsoheritagecanincludeourrelationshipwithnatureandthesurroundingenvironment.Heritageisconnectedtotheenvironmentthroughlogging,mining,andfishing,whichstronglyinfluencedtheestablishmentanddevelopmentofcommunities.Somecommunitiesincludemajorforestfiresintheirstories(Kamloops);othersareshapedbysignificantchangestothelandscape(Sparwood);andothersincludeoutdooractivities,suchasskiing(Nakusp).

Asexpressedabove,Indigenouspeopleexpressaparticularrelationshiptotheenvironmentthatmaynothaveanequivalentinothercultures.Indigenousheritageisinextricablytiedtotheenvironment,whichhasinfluencedtraditionsandwaysoflife.

SeveralparticipantsacknowledgedIndigenoustraditionalknowledgeandthewaysofmanagingtheenvironmentthroughmethodssuchascontrolledburns.Thereisabeliefthatthereismuchtobelearnedfromtraditionalknowledgeandbenefittobegainedfromitsapplication.

Recreationisaffectingsomelandscapes,suchashistorictrailsthatarenowusedformountainbiking.Newusesoflandpresentpotentialforexploitationanddestruction,butalsothepotentialforeconomicbenefitandeducation(examples:accessfeesandsignageindicatingthehistoryoftheregion).“Somecommunitiesareworkingwithsocietiesandlocalgovernmentstousetrailsasameansofeducation.Interpretivesigns,ethnobotanicalmarkers,useofIndigenouslanguagesareallbeingusedbycommunitiestomakeheritagetrailsmorethanjusttrails.”

Heritageasameanstostewardtheenvironmentdoesnothavestrongresonance.Thatisnottosuggestinterestorawarenessarelacking,butsmallorganizationsmaynotincludeenvironmentalstewardshipintheirmandates,andsuchalargetopicislikelybeyondtheircapacities.

Afewparticipantsnoted,withalonghistoricview,itispossibletotellthestoryofclimatechange.Heritageconservationasameanstoaffectclimatechangewasraisedatonemeeting,butthecommentarywasnotpositive:“HeritageisnotontheBCGovernment'sradarasawaytodealwith


climatechange.Itisnotintheiractionplan.Therewasachancetohaveanenergyretrofitprogram.Whenwearetalkingaboutpreservationwearecomingupagainstcapitalism(erasureandrenewal).Wehavetradesthatarebuiltonhowtotakedownhistoricstructuresandreplacewithnew.”Participantsdescribeastrongoreveninseparableconnectionbetweentheenvironmentandheritage.Somepeopledescribeourconnectiontothelandorplacethroughfossils,andmanyothersrecognizetheimportanceandinfluenceoftrees,water,wildlife,etc.Itisthesenaturalelementsthatbroughteveryonetotheland.

“Thereisaculturalheritagethatweareresponsibleforandthatincludesprotectingourlandsandwaters,treesandforests.Wemustprotecttheforeststomakelonghousesandpoles.Wemustworktogethertoprotectourheritage–land,water,andforests–forfuturegenerations.Thismustunderpinourdiscussionofheritage.”“IthinkanentirelifetimeofaconservationaroundenvironmentalstewardshipisnecessaryjusttounderstandwhatthatmeanstotheaveragecitizenofBC.IdonotfeelIhaveagraspifthisconcept.”


Indigenous Peoples Indigenouspeoplesrecognizeasharedexperience,buttheypointouttheydonotformasingleentityofsameness.Nationsandbandshavetheirownuniquesetofconditions,needs,challenges,andaspirations.

"Wehavebeenpracticingourheritageforever.Itisnotsomethingthatyoustart.”“Ournationandpeoplewilltellourownstoryandthatistheheartofwhatwearetalkingabout,thatiswhatheritageis,tellingourownstories.Mywordsandmyvoice.”

Indigenouspeopledescribesuppressionthatbeganwithfirstcontactandcontinuestodaythroughracismandrestrictiveprovincialandfederallaws.Indigenouspeopleareproudtohavesurvived,tonowbeabletoreclaimtheirtraditionsandbeliefs:“Wearestillhere,andwearestillpracticingourcultureandourconnectionwiththeland.”Indigenousculturalheritageislargelyretainedinmemoryandhasbeenpassedalong,generationtogeneration,byknowledgekeepersandelders.Indigenouspeopleconveyedasenseofurgencywhendescribingtheeventuallossofwisdom,tradition,andhistoryasknowledgekeepersandeldersageandpassaway.

“Alotoftraditionalknowledgeisbeinglost.Partlybecauseoflackofinterest,butalsobecausewhen‘knowledgeholders’oralsoknownas‘Elders’arepassingawaywithouttheopportunitytopassdowntheirownpersonaltraditionalknowledge.”“Wereallyneedtoseeresultsandweneedtorememberthesaying“Notaboutuswithoutus.””Indigenouspeopledescribeinsufficientfundingsourcesandsituationsinwhichtheyareexcludedor,incollaborations,wheretheyarerelegatedtoalowercategoryintheteam.“FirstNationsrequirefundingtogettheircommunitymembersintoarchivesandmuseums.Thisiswherethechangewilloccur,whenarchivesandcommunitiesgetintheroomtogetheroverasharedinterest.”“TheimpetusforFirstNationstogetinvolvedistohavetherecognitionoutsidethereserve.”“Heritageisourculture.”

Respect and Truth

Indigenouspeoplesstated,andmanynon-Indigenouspeopleagreed,respectandtruthareprincipalrequirementsthatmustprecedeor(attheveryleast)alignwithrelationship-buildingandcollaboration.


Indigenouspeoplesaskednon-Indigenouspeopletolistentoandtoaccepttruth,withoutquestioningordoubtingwhatisheard.Thisisaprerequisiteforestablishingrespect.Reconciliationwillbebuiltonrespectandtruth.

Reconciliation “IhearalotfromtheFirstNationscommunitiesthatnoonehasaclearpicturewhatreconciliationlookslike.Itisnotjustunderstandingthewrongs,buthowwecanmoveforwardtogether.Everyoneisgrapplingwithwhatdoesitmeanwhatdoesitlooklike.Thesectorhasaresponsibilitytodothatwork.”

Asheritageisdescribedashumankind’simprintontheearth(seeDefinitionofHeritage)andvaluesoflistening,acknowledging,understandingandacceptingwereoftenmentioned,thefieldofheritageiswell-suitedtoadvancingreconciliation.Whilenotarticulatedsospecificallyinthemeetings,thenon-Indigenousparticipantsregularlyspokeabouttherequirementtofacepastwrongsandtheneedtobuildbridgesofreconciliation.However,theIndigenousparticipantsstraightforwardlylaidbaretheimpactsofthehistoryofsuppressionandthecontinuingracism.Thepathtotruereconciliationmaybelong,buteveninthemostdifficultofconversations,hopeandpotentialwerenotabandoned.Listeningandacknowledgingwithoutquestionarerequirements.Theseareconditionsoftruth,withoutwhichlittlecanbeaccomplished.

“Theheritagesectorhastheabilitytosupportreconciliationbydevelopingmoreunderstandingoftruthandbeliefs.”

ManyorganizationshavemadereconciliationwithandrecognitionofIndigenouspeoplesapriority.Manyprojectsandprogramswerementionedatroundtablemeetings,thechallenges,successes,andimpactsareunknownasinformationisnotcollectedandstudied.Manyparticipantsalsoadvocatedforreconciliationwithotherculturesthatweresuppressedinthepast.Culturalreconciliationisstronglyalignedwiththesocialidealsofheritageandthevaluesofreconciliationneedtobeincorporatedintotheworkofthesector.

“Thereconciliationconversationissuperimportant,butnotattheexpenseofothercommunitiessuchastheChinesecommunity.ThereareinstitutionsthatarerepositoriesofinformationthatcanserveIndigenous,academicandanyothercommunities.Thereisaresponsibilitynottopoliticizethatinformation,buttohelppeopleunderstandtheirrelationshiptothatstuff.Reconciliationishighlypoliticizedandbyprovidinginformationwithoutjudgementandbaggagewecanhelpmoveitforward.Weneedtobecomebetterawareofourbiasesandstopthem.”


Provincial Structures Heritage,asitisdescribedintheroundtables,touchesonalmostallaspectsofcommunitylife,fromeducationandhealthtosocialcohesionandinformeddecision-making.Heritageisalsoconsideredtobeinseparablefromartsandculture.Provincialgovernmentstructuresaresuchthatheritageisseparatedfromits"sister"disciplinesandotherinfluences.Participantsbelievethereislittletonocommunicationorcollaborationamongtheprovince’sministries.Participantsassociatedwithmuseums(amongothers)expressedtheirfrustrationswiththecurrentstructures.TheydonotfeelthemuseumsectorisunderstoodbytheBCArtsCouncilandtheyexpressedchallengeswiththefundingprograms.Manyparticipantswerenotawarearchaeologyandheritagearedelineatedbyadate,andthisdistinctionwasconsideredcontrarytothecurrentunderstandingofheritage.Indigenousparticipantschallengedtheideatheirheritageisconsideredarchaeology,whilenon-Indigenousheritageistreateddifferently.Participantsurgedcross-ministerialcommunicationandcollaborationasthestoriesofpeople,place,history,andheritagewillbenefitfromandcontributetoareassuchaseducation,health,andeconomy.

“Itisreallyimportantthatalllevelsofgovernmenttalkabouthowtheydefineheritageandhowitisintegratedintoprocesses,workanddepartments.Thedifferentgroupscurrentlydonottalktoeachother.Onceweseetheneedtointegrate,itmakesiteasierforthecommunity.Thegovernmentneedstogetitsacttogetherinordertoactuallyworkwithcommunities.Itmakesithardtodoourwork.Communitieshavesilostoo.Weneedtobreakthemdown.”

Overall,participantsdonotfeeltheprovincialgovernmentissufficientlyservingthesector.Governmentdefinitionsanddivisionshavecontributedtoasectorthatissiloed,underappreciated,andundervalued.

“Wemuststopplacingheritageintodifferentministries;weneedrelationshipswithtourism,arts,health,andmulticulturalism.Ifwearetalkingaboutahealthycommunity,weneedtobeabletorelatetheframeworkofouractivitiestotheidealofsustainablehealth.Wearenotfrivolous.”

Heritage Conservation Act, Local Government Act, Heritage Tools ThepurposeofthemeetingsdidnotincludeareviewofheritagemanagementtoolsastheyarespecifiedintheLocalGovernmentAct(LGA).Not-for-profitorganizationsarenotaffectedbytheLGA,andmostlocalgovernmentshavenotdevelopedheritageconservationorrecognitionprograms.


Itisknown,throughaseriesofannualsurveys,thatthemajorityoflocalgovernmentshavenotadoptedheritageprogramsbasedonthetoolsprovidedintheLocalGovernmentAct.Thiswasalsoevidentthroughtheroundtablemeetings.Inmanycommunities,heritagestewardshipislargelylefttomuseumsandinsmallercommunitiesitislefttoothernot-for-profitorganizations.Asnotedelsewhere,smallerorganizationsareworkingwithlimitedcapacities.Localgovernmentsdonotnecessarilyrecognizethebenefitsandcontributionsofheritage,andnot-for-profitorganizationsdonotfeeltheyareabletomakeacaseforheritage.ManycharacterizedtheLGAascolonialduetoitsfocusonthebuiltenvironmentanditsinflexibilitytoextendprotectionsandrecognitiontoheritageelementsthatfallunderthebroaderdefinitionofheritage.ThisisparticularlyproblematicwhenconsideringtheheritageofIndigenouspeoples.Whenconsideringthepooradoptionofheritageconservationtoolsandtheevolvingpracticeofheritage,theLGA,asitcurrentlyexists,willbecomeincreasinglyoutofstepwiththecommunitiesitaimstoserve.Itshouldbenotedparticipantsdidnotsuggest,atanytime,thattheActshouldnotprotectthebuiltenvironment.Rather,participantspointedoutitsdeficienciesinprotectingandrecognizingothertypesofheritage.HeritageconservationtoolsaremorelikelytobeadoptedinurbancommunitiesandsoparticipantsattheLowerMainlandandonVancouverIslandroundtablesprioritizedprovinciallegislationasadiscussiontopic.Theycitednumerouschallengeswiththelegislationitselforwithitsimplementation:

● TheprovinceisnotrecognizingthatitcreatedaproblemwhentheLGAwasputintoplace,creatingaseparationbetweenprovincialandmunicipallevels.Theresponsibilitiesarenowinthehandsofpeoplewhoarefocusedonelectionsandnotthosewhoare“initforthelonggame.”

● Somemunicipalitiesdonotknowhowtousethetoolsandothers“donotknowthetoolsexist.”● Municipalitiesareafraidtousetheheritageconservationtoolsandtheydonothavethe

resources:“Theydonotknowwhattheyaredoing.”● Theprovinceisnotprovidinganinvestmentintraininganditisnottakingresponsibilityor

action.Itisa“struggle”and“unrealistic.”● Thesituationisharmingheritage:“TheProvincejustshrugs.”

ParticipantswanttheLGAandHeritageConservationAct(HCA)tobechanged:

● TheLGAisduefora“refresh”andtobe“updated.”● Currently,theLGAis“apainfromapracticalperspective.”● TheLGAneedstobestronger“todirectmunicipalitiesonhowtopreserve.”


● Therelationshipbetweenarchaeologyandheritageneedstobeaddressed.“TheHeritageConservationActisproblematicforthewayitdealswithbotharchaeologyandheritage.Neithergroupshouldbesatisfied.”

TheLGAandHCAshouldalsochangebecausetheydonotreflectthecurrentpracticeofheritage:

● TheLGAneedstoberenewedsothatitcan“encompassmoreofwhatisactuallyheritage.Itneedstoencompasstheintangibleheritagepiece.”

● “Afundamentalpieceislegislation.EverythingflowsfromtheHeritageConservationAct,whichdoesn’toffermuchtoIndigenouspeople.Ourterritoriesarenotrecognizedoutsideofthereservesanditisabattletoprotectsomethingthatthegovernmentdoesnotthinkisinyourjurisdiction.Itbecomesacomplicatedendeavourtoworkwithyourneighboursandwiththeprovince.”

Thesectorwantstohelp:

● “Oneofthethingswecancontributeisideasaboutwhatadifferentrelationshipwouldlooklike,andwheretheactcouldbefixed.”

(Note:in2011,aheritageworkinggroupfortheFirstNationsLeadershipCouncildraftedtheFirstNations’HeritageConservationActionPlanthatlooksatrecommendationaroundSection4oftheHCA.)


Stories and Storytelling Tellingstoriesisthepervasivewayofdescribingheritage:itistheactofcollectingstories,withoutfilteringorinterpreting.Anyoneandeveryonecancontributetothenarrative,whetherahistoricalfigureoranewcomer.Storiesarealwaysevolvinganddeepeningasnewstoriesareaddedandasoldstoriesarebetterunderstood.Astoryisauthenticwhenitisdeliveredinthevoiceofthestoryteller.Conflictingstoriesarepartoftherichnessofheritageandsotheydonotneedauthenticationorcorrection.Moreimportantthantheveracityofastoryistheauthenticityofthe“voice,”theoneconveyingthestory.Manyparticipantsasked,“Whohastherighttotellastory?”Thisisacompellingquestion,especiallywhenconsideringtheculturesthatexperiencedoppressionandthatarenowreclaimingtheirvoices.

“Weneedtolookathowsmallercommunitiessharetheirstories.Theyneedtobegivenopportunitiestoshare.”“Thesestoriesthatwerecognizeasour[Indigenous]heritageneedtobetoldbyourownpeople.Eachcommunityhastheownershipofitsownstories.Therearepropertyrightstostories.”

Manypeoplecommentedthat“thevictorsgettowritethestories,”meaningstoriesarebiasedandinaccurate.Participantsstronglybelievestoriesmustnowincludeallvoicesandallcultures,andwemustnowincludethestoriesthatareusuallyavoided.

“Storiesneedtobewhattheyhavealwaysbeen.Theyshouldnotbesanitized,translatedorchangedforconvenience.Justbecauseastoryistolddoesnotmeanitisunderstood,thisiswhywearetoldourstoriestimeandagain,withnewdetailseachtime,untilwearereadytounderstand.”

Builtheritageandartifactsaretangiblerepresentationsofstories.

“Weneedtolookattheephemeralaspectsofstoriesandmoveawayfromtheoldfocusofbuilthistory.Wecantalkaboutthechurchdownthestreetanddescribethestained-glasswindows,butwhatwerethepeoplethinkingandfeelingatthetimethebuildingwasbuilt?Thisnewknowledgeneedstoincludehowpeoplelivedtheirday-to-daylives,theirculture,entertainment,andself-sufficiency."

Authenticity Authenticityorvalidationofstorieswasfrequentlyraisedinconversationsandparticipantsbelieveitisunnecessaryorevencountertotellingstories.


Twoindividualscantellthesamestory,yetthestoriesmaynotbeidentical.Whatisimportantisthe“authenticity”ofthespeaker,theoriginalvoice.Eachstoryisauthenticasitistoldandtogethertheycreatearicherstory.Creatingaricherstoryisakeygoalindescribingheritageandthisrequiresacontinuallayeringofstoriesfromallvoicesandcultures.

“Authenticityisachallengewithin[Indigenous]communitiestoo.Inthepast,peopleweretrainedtobeknowledgekeepers,thatwastheirrole.Theyweretrained,andacquiredexpertise,andwithittheresponsibilitytosharethatknowledgeandpassiton.Thecomplexitytodayisthatadiversityofvoicesisabsolutelynecessary,aswehavefewerknowledgekeeperswiththedepthofunderstandingandresponsibilitythatwehadinthepast.Communitiescananddojudgewhoisbesttospeakforthecommunityonparticularissues,whohasthatright,whoshouldbelistenedto.”

Tangible / Intangible Thepriorityplacedondefiningheritagestronglyindicatesthepracticeofheritageisevolving.Morethananyothertopic,theroundtableparticipantsgrappledwiththeideaofheritageandwhatitmeanstotheirworkandtheircommunities.Whatparticipantsdidnotsaywasthatheritageasweunderstandittodayisbasedontangibleobjects.Welearnaboutandtalkaboutheritageisthroughstories--andextantbuildingsandartifactscontributetothesestories,anchorthestoriesintimeandplace.Thesetangibleitemsarenotconsideredheritagebecausetheyexist,butbecausetheyarebeingascribedvaluethroughthestoriestoldaboutthem,becauseofthem.Fromthisperspective,whichisconsistentthroughouttheprovince,heritageisfirstandforemostintangible.Forafewparticipants,thisstrongemphasisontheintangiblewasconcerningasitde-emphasizedthebuiltenvironment.Buteveryoneagreedthebuiltenvironmentandartifactsareimportantandwemustcontinuetoprotect,conserve,collect,andinterpretthem.Theprioritizationoftheintangibleaspectsofheritagehaslikelydevelopedovermanyyears.Someparticipantsfeltthisisanewconversationwhileothersthoughttheseideasgoback10or20years.Whatissignificantistheheritagecommunityhas“evolved”initsunderstandingandpracticeofheritage,yetthesupportsystems,suchaslegislationandfundingprograms,havenot.


Allparticipantsemphasizedtheintangibleaspectsofheritage,eitherdirectlyorindirectly.Followingaredirectcommentsemphasizingtheintangibleaspectsofheritage:

“Twentyyearsago,therewouldnothavebeenaconversationaboutreconciliation.Itwasallaboutbuilt,tangibleheritage.Therehasbeenamovementtointangibleandculturalheritage.Thesoftthingsthatarenotincorporatedinabuiltform,whichmightbemusic,writing,culturalpractice.Ithinkthishasbeenpartofaninternationalpush.Indigenouslanguagesareakeyexampleofthat.Therehasbeenapushandlotsoffundingforlanguageconservationallaroundtheworld.Wehaveaheritageplanners’meetingthathasnowbecomeacultureandheritageplannersmeeting.Wearebroadeningourscope…alotofmunicipalitiesaredoingthat…”“I’mfindingthisinteresting.Ihearfromtouristswhogodowntoourwaterfront,lookatatangiblesymbolbutaremoreinterestedinthepeopleandculturebehindthat.Thereisarealinterestintheculturalhistoryanddiversityofthisarea.It’smadearichmosaicinthispartoftheworldandpeopleareveryinterestedinthatwhentheyvisit.Fromapracticaleconomicsense,itisverynoticeablethatinterestisnotinthingsitistheculturalhistorybehindthem.”“Ourbuildingsandplacesarerepresentationsofanexistenceandaconsciousness.Theyareremindersofwhattookplacethere.Theyaretheconsciousnessofwhathappened,evenifitisnowinvisible.Itisthetangibleandtheintangible.”“Wehavethisdiversityofculturesthathavetheirownheritage.Peoplearemostproudofthatheritageandtheywanttocelebratethat,inbothtangibleandintangibleways.Wethriveonthatdiversity,andhowwearecomingtogethertobuildournewcommunity.Thatisveryexciting.”“Theconnectiontothelandandwateristhetangiblepiecearoundheritage.Land,water,spaces,building,andarchaeology.Butit’snotalwaystangible.Passingdowntheexperienceofheritageandcultureandwhywedoitandwhatitmeans.Thesharingoftheintangible.It’sthestorythatwearereallytryingtosavewhenwearepreservingabuilding.”


Community Communitywasfrequentlyreferencedthroughoutthemeetings,suggestingcommunityisattheheartofheritageorheritageisbyandforcommunity.Communitywasnotnecessarilyraisedasanissue,butratheritnaturallyflowedthroughouttheconversations.Themeetingreports,withtheirnumerousreferencestocommunity,underscorethispoint.

“Heritageisaboutthethingsthatmatter.Butnoneofthosethingsmatterifthereisnohumanfactor;weneedtobeinvolvedthroughconnectionstoplacesandimpactsonthecommunity.Everystoryisathreadinthetapestryofacommunity.Acommunityisnothingwithoutthestoriesandmemorieswhichequalsitshistory.”“Heritagedescribeswhatmatterstoacommunity.Artsisanexpressionofthat.”“Thecommunityhastodefineheritage;itshouldnotbelefttojustonegroup.Communitymeetingsgivepeopleopportunitiestoaskaboutheritageandtosuggesthowheritagecanberetained.Withcommunitymeetings,wecangetdowntothenitty-gritty.Topdowndoesnotwork.”


Education and Youth

Thelackofeducationisacommonconcern,anditisfeltyoungpeoplearenolongerexposedtothehistoryoftheircommunities.Thereisapervasiveconcernthatheritagewillbelostifyoungergenerationsdonotdevelopaninterest.

“Ifyoudonotgrowupwithlearningaboutyourcommunityandhowitaffectsyourlife,onedoesnotusuallyseekthisoutinlaterlife.Changingattitudesiswhatisrequiredtomakeheritage,arts,andculturemoreimportantformonetary,volunteer,ormoralsupport.HowBCfitsintothefederalandglobalworldisfarfromtheaveragemindofthetypicalresidentofthiscommunityandregionofBC.”

ContenttopopulatethenewBCcurriculumneedstobedevelopedtointroduceyoungpeopletoheritage.Differentapproachesandideasareneeded,suchastechnology,sports,math,andenvironment,toalignheritagewiththeinterestsofyoungerpeople.Thiswillrequiresomeflexibilityandingenuitytodevelop.Theexactissueisnotwellunderstood,anditislikelythereareamultiplicityofchallenges.Somepeoplesayyouthdonotvolunteer,whileotherssaytheyvolunteerfordifferentreasons.Somepeoplepointoutyoungpeopledonotjoinorganizations,whileotherssaytheyareessentiallyexcludedbythe"oldguard"whoarechallengedbynewideas.ItislikelythereareanumberofeducationalinitiativeshappeningthroughoutBC,buttheprogramsarebeingdevelopedanddeliveredinisolatedpocketswithoutacohesiveapproachandwithoutcommonobjectives.Participantsagreetheprovincialcurriculumistobeblamedforthecurrentlackofawarenessoflocal,provincialandnationalhistoryandheritage.Itisbelievedteacherswanttoincludehistoryandheritageinlessonplans,buttheylackthetoolsandtheconfidencetodoso.“Manyteachershavetoldus[Indigenouspeoples]theywanttobemoreinclusiveofFirstNationsheritage,buttheydon’tknowwheretostart.”Intermsofeducatingthegeneralpublic,participantsnotedtheyarenotalwaysgoodathelpingtheircommunitiesconnectwithheritageandappreciatethevalues.

“Educationisbadlyneeded.[Indigenous]peoplehavebeenliedtotheirentirelives;theyhavebeendeniedtheirheritageandculture,andtheirrelationshipwiththeirenvironment.”“Thereisahugecultureofignoranceintermsofhowpeoplelookatheritageandhowtheyunderstandwhatitis.”


The Future Everymeetingincludedconversationsaboutthevisionandfutureofheritage,andparticipantswereaskedtoconsiderquestionssuchas,“Whatdoyouneedtoknow?”and“Whathappensnext?”Thesetopicsandquestionswerethemostdifficultandconcreteresponseswererare.Typicalresponseswere“Weneedmore”or“Weneedfunding.”

Identity, Geography, Isolation Heritageisusedasameanstodescribeacommunity’suniqueidentityandparticularcircumstance.Onoccasion,theidentitymayexpandtoaregion,butorganizationsandcommunitieswillalwaysfocusonlocalidentityfirst,eventotheexclusionofaneighbouringcommunity.Additionally,smallnot-for-profitsandlocalgovernmentswill,bythenatureoftheirorganizationalstructureandwork,havemandatestoservetheirlocalcommunities.WhileparticipantsdonotbelievelocalheritagecontributestotheidentityofBC,theoppositemaybetrue:aprovincialprioritycanbecomealocalpriority.(AnexampleprovidedistheJapanese-CanadianapologythatledtotheestablishmentofaJapanesegarden.)

“BCidentityandstrengthareshapedbythediversityoflandscape,plants,animals,peopleandstoriesintheprovince.Supportforheritageconservationensurestheseecosystems,organismsandcommunitypracticescontinueintothefuture,toshapefuturegenerationsandthefutureoftheprovince.”

Identityisalsoshapedbythesurroundinggeography,whichcanisolateacommunityonaprovinciallevelandunifyonaregionallevel.Bystronglyinfluencingcharacterandrelationships,geographyandisolationareinfluencingfactorsontheuniquenessofeachcommunity.Conversely,isolationcreatesafeelingofhave-and-have-not,providingasenseofdisenfranchisementinasystemthatfavoursurbanism.

“Heritageconservationcanstrengthenacommunity'sidentitybypresentinganauthenticnarrativewhichrecognizesthegeographic,environmental,economic,socialandculturalforcesthatshapedit.”

Generally,participantsatthemetropolitanareameetingsdidnotrespondtotheideaofidentityinthesamewayasparticipantsinmoreruralareas.Thisislikelybecauseofurbandensificationandthefluiditybetweencommunities.Itwasalsopointedoutthatimprovedroadaccesscanreduceisolationascommunitiesbecomemoreaccessibletooneanother.Whilesmallercommunitiesareconnectedwithhighways,thedistancesaregreaterandroadconditionsarenotalwaysfavourable.


“BritishColumbia’sidentityisstrengthenedandrenewedthroughheritageconservation”wasoneoftheeightthemesthatwereexploredateachmeeting.ThisisaproblematicphraseasmostparticipantsdonotbelievethereisasingleidentityforBC.AsdescribedinDefiningHeritage,heritageisnotabouttheassimilationofcultures,buttheappreciationofthedistinctions.Additionally,communitiesthatareawareoftheirisolationandremotenessfromurbanareasdonotnecessarilyfeelasenseof“thewhole”asthestatementwouldsuggest.Evenurbancommunitiesdescribedasenseofdisconnectbetweenthe“havesandhavenots.”

“ItisimpossibletodefineBCheritageandtheideaofoneidentityishopelesslysimplistic;instead,itisthenetworkofsectoralelements.”“Wecan’tfeellikewearepartoftheBC’sidentityuntilwehavefiguredoutourownidentity.”

A Common Vocabulary

Whetherimpliedorexplicitlystated,languagethatiscommonlyassociatedwiththepracticeofheritageisnotalwaysunderstoodorappreciated.

“Conservationmightnotbeabroadenoughtermforheritagework.Itfeelsnarrow-minded.”“Wehaveaproblemwithourlanguagethatweuseinthesector.Weareunintentionallydisenfranchisingpeoplethroughthewordsweuse.Itisourfailingifwecannotmakesenseofthattoalayperson.Itisourresponsibilitytofigureitoutandmakeitclearandaccessible.Youcan’tbreakthelinktothenationalstandards.Alotofstufftricklesoutofthatlink.Weneedtobeabletospeakinspecializedtermsascolleagues.Wemustn’tdothatinawaythatoffends,disenfranchisesorcausesdisengagement.Wecan’tforgetthecolloquialmeaningofwordsortheIndigenousperspective.”

Onepersondescribedtheword"conservation"asfixedanddevoidoflife.Itisunlikelythispersonwassuggestingconservationisanunworthyactivity,butratherwassuggestingtheworditselfisnotconsistentwiththeidealsofanever-changing,vibrantheritage.Similarly,statementssuchas“environmentalstewardshipthroughheritageconservation”and“BritishColumbia’sidentityisstrengthenedandrenewedthroughheritageconservation”wereseenasinadequateastheword“conservation”islimitedinscoperelativetothepracticeofheritage.Achallengewithmanywordsistheassociatedconnotationandcontext,whichcanresultinconflictingdefinitions.Manydefinitionsoftheword"conservation"wereofferedatonemeeting.Theheritagesectoroftenuseswordswithoutexplanationanditisassumedthedefinitionisunderstood.Butthisisnotthecaseforcommonlyusedwordssuchas"conservation."Phrasessuchas“collaborationthroughheritageconservation”werebelievedtobetoorestricted,excludingthebroaderinterpretationsandpracticesofheritage.


ManywordsmaynotbecompatiblewithIndigenousbeliefs.Conservationimpliesprolongation,butIndigenouspeopletalkaboutgivingbacktothelandandwaterorreturningwhatistaken.Thenon-Indigenousculturewantstoconserveatotempole,butIndigenouspeoplemaybelievethepoleshouldreturntotheearthinanaturalprocessofdecay.Theideasof"property"and"place"mayalsobechallenging.Thesewordsimplyadegreeofownership,whichisnotnecessarilyconsistentwiththeIndigenousbeliefofstewardship.Withoutexplanation,thesewordscanseemtobenarrowinscopeandnotcontainingtherangeofelementsthatwouldbeunderstoodbyaheritageprofessional.

Urban / Non-Urban Theeight-topicmeetingstructurewasusedthroughouttheprocessforconsistencyandtodiscoveriftherearedifferencesbetweenmorenon-urbansettingsandmetropolitanareas.Itwouldnotbepossibletoquantifythedifferences,butdifferenceswereobserved,nonetheless.Participantsinmoreremoteareasappearedtoexpressthesocial/humanisticaspectsofheritagewithmorepassionthanparticipantsinmetropolitanareas.Similarly,conversationsaboutcollaborationandfundingseemedtoelicitmoreimpassionedconversationsinremoteareas.Smallercommunitiesareawareoftheirisolationandthechallengesandthreatsthattheyface.Manysmallerorganizationsandcommunitiesexpressedconcernabouttheirviabilityinthenearfuture.Thisisrelatedtothelackofcapacity,lackofsupportfromvariousgovernmentlevels,andadiminishinginterestfromyoungergenerations.Manyaskedthequestion,“WhowilltakeoverfrommewhenIamreadytoretire?”Becausecapacityandfundingarenotincreasing,organizationsareconcernedabouttheirprecariousposition.Becausenewvolunteersarenotavailable,thereisafearthatpastaccomplishmentswillbelost,andsustainabilityandsuccessionwereconcerns.CommunitiesinurbanareasaremorelikelytohaveadoptedheritageconservationtoolsprovidedintheLocalGovernmentAct.Asnotedabove,approximatelythreeoutoffourlocalgovernments,mostofwhichareinruralareas,havenotadoptedheritageconservationtools.Ruralparticipantsbelievemoreopportunitiesareavailableinurbanareas,andwhatisavailableisoftendesignedforlargerorganizations.“TheNorthneedssupport.MosteventsandconferencesareintheLowerMainland,butaneffortneedstobemadetomakesureNorthernandremotecommunitiesaresupportedintheirquesttopreserveandpromoteheritage.”


Summary of Findings

TheProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritageprovidedanextraordinaryopportunitythatbroughtpeopletogethertoshareideas,situations,challenges,successes,relationships,andaspirationsrelatedtoheritageandotherdisciplinessuchasmuseums,archives,archaeology,andartsandculture.Themeetingsprovidedimmediatebenefitsofcommunitybuilding,sharing,andlearningbysimplybringingpeopletogetherandprovidingaforumforconversation.Whilealltheparticipantssharedacommoninterest,itisobviousthatorganizationsanddisciplinesaresiloedandopportunitiestomeetandtalkarerare(iftheyexistatall).

“ThismeetingisoneofthemostexcitingthingstocomealongandthereisagreatopportunityforHeritageBCtoengageintheprocess.”

Thisprojectprovidedarareforumforin-depthdiscussionsaboutheritage,andparticipantsshowedtheywereeagerforthistypeofdiscourse.Participantsrecognizedtheimportanceofthisproject,asillustratedthroughthenumberofattendeeswhowerewillingtocommittosix-hourmeetingsandsometimestravelledseveralhourstoparticipate.Everymeetingincludedconversationsaboutthevisionandfutureofheritage,andparticipantswereaskedtoconsiderquestionssuchas,“Whatdoyouneedtoknow?”and“Whathappensnext?”Thesetopicsandquestionsweredifficulttoanswer,andconcreteresponseswererare.Atypicalresponsewas“Weneedmore.”(Themostcommonwas,“Weneedfunding).Whilethismaysuggestagenerallackofvision,ithighlightstheunderlyingconditionsofthesector.Volunteerorganizationsarefacingsuccessionproblems,not-for-profitsarestrugglingtoremainviable,andplannersareworkingwithoutconsistentsupportfromtheirlocalgovernments.Oneparticipantsummedupthesituationwiththeremark,“Stewardshipmaybebeyondourcapacityifwecannotevensurvive.”Asawhole,thestateofheritageisnothealthyand,formuchoftheprovince,thereisafearofwhatliesahead.Withoutchange,largepartsofthesectorareatriskandthestewardshipofBC’srichheritageisjeopardized.


Recommendations Therecommendationsoffertwelvestrategicprioritiesthat,ifaccomplished,wouldhaveasweepingeffectonalmostallareasoftheheritagesector.Theaiminproposingtherecommendationsistoachievetheaspirationsandtoaddressthechallengesheardthroughouttheprovince.Assuch,thestrategicprioritiesarebroad-basedandpowerful.Thestrategicdirectionsaretacticstoachievetherecommendations.Someofthestrategicdirectionscanbeundertakenwithrelativelymodesteffortandresources.Otherstrategicdirectionswillbecomplexandtimeconsuming.Therecommendationsdonotincludeactionplans.Someofthestrategicdirectionscanbeundertakenbyasingleorganization,butmanyrequireconsultation,prioritization,coordination,andresources.Therecommendationsandstrategicdirectionshavebeendevelopedtoaddressthegoalsasoutlinedintheagreement:

• Increasedknowledge,appreciation,understanding,retention,andmanagementofBC’sculturalhistoryandheritage

• Increasedorganizationalandindividualcapacities• Increasedcommunityengagementandawareness• Increasedawarenessofdifferingperspectives,approaches,andworldviews• IncreasedrecognitionofandparticipationfromFirstNationsanddistinctcommunities• Increasedawarenessandimplementationofbetterpractices• Anexpandedvisionandnewcharacterizationsofheritage,asitrelatestoassociateddisciplines,

leadingtoarevitalizationofconservation,protection,andinterpretationofBC’sheritageandhistory

• Avisionandcalls-to-actionforthesectorOverviewoftheRecommendations:

1. Developmentandcommunicationofaprovincialdefinitionofheritagethatwillunifythesectorandbetteralignprogramsandserviceswiththesector’swork

2. Acknowledgementofpastwrongsandthedevelopmentofbridgesthatleadtopositive,mutually-beneficialrelationshipswithIndigenouspeoples

3. Developmentofstrategiessupportinginclusivityanddiversityofthesector4. Developmentofstrategiespromotingawarenessofenvironmentalimpactsofandtothesector5. Developmentofstrategiestoprovideleadershipforcapacitybuildingtomovethesectorbeyond

crisismanagement,toenhanceitsstabilityandgrowth,andtoimprovetheconservationofheritageassetsofmanydescriptions

6. RevisionoftheHeritageConservationActtoreflectthecurrentunderstandingandpracticeofheritageasitisarticulatedininternationalstandardssuchasTheUnitedNationsDeclarationontheRightsofIndigenousPeoples(UNDRIP)


7. DevelopmentofatoolkittoimprovetheadoptionandsuccessfulimplementationoftheLocalGovernmentAct(Section15)

8. RevisionoftheLocalGovernmentAct(Section15)tofullyalignitwithcurrentprioritiesandvaluesoflocalgovernmentsandthesector

9. Improvementoffundingopportunitiesspecificallyalignedwiththesector10. Supportforthesectorindescribingitseconomicimpactandrelevance11. SupportforthesectorindevelopinganddeliveringcontenttoBC’seducationsystem12. Supportthesectorincreatingcatalyzingmomentsthatmarkchangeandcreatemomentum


1. Develop and communicate a provincial definition of heritage RationaleRoundtableparticipantsexpressedacommonviewofheritage,yetnotedthatthesectorisdiverse,fragmented,andever-evolving.Disciplinesaresiloed,andthepractice--anddefinition--ofheritagehasevolvedbeyondtheservicesandsystemsthatsupportit.Participantsobservedthatallaspectsofthesectorareboundtogetherunderthebroadconceptofheritage,socreatingcommonunderstandingandacommondefinitionisapriorityinordertoaligntheservicesandsystemstoservetheheritagecommunity,andforthecommunityto,inturn,servethelargerpopulationandtoachievebetteroutcomes.UnderstandingheritageasitispracticedacrossBCiscriticaltomovingforward.Manyofthetools,programs,andservicesavailabletothebroadsectorarenotalignedwiththecurrentunderstandingandpracticeofheritage.FundingprogramsandtheLocalGovernmentActaretwofrequentlyreferencedexamples.Actions

• Prepareanoverarchingdefinitionofheritagebasedontheinformationcollectedthroughtheprovincialroundtablemeetings,drawingfromthewealthofexperienceandknowledgeinBC,aswellasotherestablisheddefinitions(e.g.UNESCO,IndigenousHeritageCircle).Developingadefinitionshouldconsiderexistingandsometimesnegativeconnotations,suchasitsassociatedhistoric“whiteness.”Inclusivityanddiversitymustbeembeddedinthedefinition,sothatitreflectsallculturesandpeoples.Thedefinitionshouldbefluidandrecognizethatthesectormaycontinuetoevolve.

• Developarosterofrelateddefinitionstodistinguishthespecificapproachesandprioritiesofdifferentdisciplinesthatfunctionwithinthebroadfieldofheritage(e.g.museology,archaeology,etc.).

• Userelationshipsnotedbetweenthebroaddefinitionofheritageandthedefinitionsofheritageinitssubdisciplinestodrawtogethercurrentlysiloedunderstandings,torevealareasofcommonality,tofostersharingandcollaboration,andtoalignprogramsandservicesacrossthesectorunderthecurrentoverarchingdefinitionheritage.

References

● DefiningHeritage


2. Indigenous Peoples: Acknowledge past wrongs and develop bridges to positive mutually-beneficial relationships RationaleRoundtableparticipantsexpressedadesireforinclusiveandmeaningfulrepresentationofallculturalgroupsinBCandwerekeenlyinterestedinacknowledgingpastwrongsandindevelopingbridgesleadingtopositive,mutually-beneficialrelationships.Theyobservedthattheheritagesectorhasrealpotentialtoadvancereconciliation,butdecisivestepsarerequired:asiscommontothesector,pasteffortshavebeendoneinisolation;theireffectsandimpactsareunknown;successesandbestpracticesareunknown,andlessonslearnedarenotshared;inshort,acohesiveapproachtoinclusionandreconciliationdoesnotexist.Indigenousparticipantsrecognizedthattheirdefinitionofheritageisbothbroaderandmorenuancedthanthatexpressedbythesector-at-large.Theyrecognizedpositivetransitions,andalsoexpressangerandfrustrationwiththeslowpaceofchange.Someparticipantswereskepticalthatpositiveactionwilloccur.Forexample,thatmostcommunitiesinBChavenotpreparedterritoriallandacknowledgementsdidnotsurpriseIndigenousroundtableparticipants.Long-establishedprejudices,outdatedsystems,andlackofautonomyandfundingareseenasimpediments.ManyparticipantsexpressedthebeliefthatmuchcanbelearnedfromIndigenouspractices--inparticularpracticesandstrategiesrelatedtothestewardshipofintangibleheritage.Actions

● ProvidefundingforIndigenouscommunitiestoassessgapsandneedsrelatedtoIndigenousculturalheritage,

● ProvidefundingforIndigenouscommunitiestounderstandandsharewhatislearnedthroughthisgapanalysis

● ReviselegislationandpoliciessothatIndigenouspeoplesarerecognizedasstewardsoftheirownheritage

● Reviselegislation(relatedtoheritageandconservation)sothatallIndigenouscommunitiesarerepresentedandrespected

● Continuetoadvocateforabroaderdefinitionofheritageandinclusivityinthesector● Provideleadershiptosupportthesectorindevelopingeffective,positiverelationships,and

providenecessarytools,guidance,andresources.● Developaninformationresourcethatguidesorganizationsandlocalgovernmentsindeveloping

relationshipswithIndigenousgovernmentsandcommunities,includinganinventoryofactivitiesthathavealreadytakenplacethroughouttheprovincetodevelopcasestudiesandbestpractices.

● DevelopfundingprogramsthatsupportIndigenouscommunitiesinpreservingandinterpretingtheirheritage,andensureaccessibilityandflexibilityinfundingprograms,asnotallIndigenouscommunitieshavethesameneedsandcapacities


● Advocatefortrulyequalpartnershipsbetweennon-IndigenousandIndigenousorganizationsandprovidefundingandopportunitiestobringtogethernon-IndigenousandIndigenousorganizationstosupportthedevelopmentofrelationship-building,collaborations,andprojects

● DevelopprogramsandfundingopportunitiesthatencouragementorshipbyIndigenouspeopleinmanagingintangibleheritageandunderstandingourrelationshiptothelandandenvironment

References

● IndigenousPeoples● DefiningHeritage


3. Develop strategies supporting inclusion and diversity RationaleThesectordoesnotreflectthediversityitwishestoembody.Althoughparticipantsdescribeheritageinabroadsocietalcontext,diverseculturalcommunitieswerelargelyunrepresentedatthemeetings.Additionally,mostoftheparticipants--whichrepresentedalargecross-sectionoforganizationsandinstitutionsrelatedtoBC'sheritagecommunity--didnotself-identityasbeingpartofminoritycommunities.Someparticipantsaskthequestion:“Whyhavewenotmademoreprogress?”Actions

• Improvecommunicationpathwaystobuildrelationshipswithdiversecommunities• Supportinclusionanddiversitythroughthedefinitionofheritage• Developandsupportcollaborationsandprojectsthatarebuiltonmutuallybeneficialgoalsand

thatequitablybringculturestogether• Providefundingspecifictoprogramsthatadvanceinclusionanddiversity,andensurethese

fundingprogramsareflexible,accessibletodiversecommunities,andsupportiveofawiderangeofneedsandabilities

• Encouragetherecruitmentofculturallydiversestaffandboardmemberstoensurethevoicesofallcommunitiesareheardinprogramdevelopmentandimplementation

• SupportorganizationstodiversifycollectionsandtellmoreinclusivestoriesReferences

● DefiningHeritage● Identity


4. Develop strategies promoting awareness of environmental impacts RationaleThe“greening”aspectofheritageconservationhasbeenconsideredastrongargumenttoretainthebuiltenvironment,andBCwastheleadproponentindevelopingBuildingResilience:PracticalGuidelinesfortheRehabilitationofBuildingsinCanada.Yetconceptsof“greenbuildings,”“resilience,”and“environmentalsustainability”inthecontextofheritageconservationwerenotcommonlyunderstoodamongroundtableparticipants.Environmentalimpactsofandtoheritagecoalescedaroundtheideaofclimatechange,withtheenvironmentandlandunderstoodtobethestartingpointsandfundamentalbuildingblocks.Participantsnotedincreasingalarmforclimatechangeandforthethreatitposestoculturalheritage.Leadershipwithrespecttotheprotectionofculturalheritageandcapacitybuildingareneededtomovetheheritagesectortomeetafuturedefinedbyclimatechange:thisisaprioritythatmustincludeallaspectsofheritage.Withnooversightorleadership,manyofBC’sheritageorganizationsdonothavethecapacitytoincludeclimatechangeintheirmandatesandprograms.Actions

● Confirmenvironmentalstewardshipasapriorityforthepreservationofculturalheritage● Buildawarenessoftheanticipatedeffectsofclimatechangeonlandscapesandtangibleand

intangibleheritage● Fundlong-termstudiestotrackandmonitorchanges,toassessriskanddevelopmanagement

plans,andtoanalyzethegapsandissuesfacingallformsofheritage● Addresslackofcapacitywithrespecttoknowledgebyprovidingmentorship,encouraging

collaborationandnetworkingbetweensectorsandpeoples,andsupportingknowledgekeepers● Developsector-specificstrategicplanningtoolsandmeasurestoaddressenvironmental

stewardshipandclimatechangeandtoguidethesector● Developsector-specificbestpracticeswithrespecttoaddressingclimatechange● Developeducationalmaterials(workshops,webinars,downloadableguidebooks,conference

sessions)andprovideregularlearningopportunities● Incorporateenvironmentalimpactsinto“makingacase,”sothattheheritagesectorhasanother

advocacytoolsupportingheritageconservationReferences

● EnvironmentalStewardshipthroughHeritageConservation


5. Revision of the Heritage Conservation Act to reflect current international standards RationaleSincethedevelopmentoftheHCAinthe1980sanditsenactmentintheearly1990s,muchworkhasbeendoneontheinternationalstagetodevelopandconsolidatetheunderstandingandpracticeofheritageandtocultivaterespectforculturalartifactsofallkinds,includingculturallandscapes.Indigenousandnon-Indigenousroundtableparticipantswerevocallyopposedtotheseparationofculturesthatistheresultofthedivisionbetweentworelateddisciplines--archaeologyandhistory--bythedateof1846.TheHCAconflictswiththeunifyingvisionofheritageandisdescribedasahindrancetoreconciliation.Participantsobservedthattheseparationofarchaeologyandheritageorhistoryrepresentscolonialprivilegeandperpetuatesatwo-tiersystemthatfixesIndigenousheritageinthepastandpresentstheheritageofnewcomersasalivingheritage.Suchsystemsandlegislationnotconsistentwithcurrentvaluesandperspectivesperpetuatefragmentationofthesectorandfostersdivisionbetweenpeopleandcommunities.Actions

● Review,modernize,andrenametheHCAtoalignwithcurrentinternationalunderstandingandpracticeandtoberesponsivetowhathasbeenandisheardbyIndigenouscommunities--includingthenecessityofitsalignmentwithUNDRIPandinternationalprotocolswithrespecttointangibleheritage

● Developaprovincialframeworkandstrategyforculturalheritageandreviseand/ordevelopnewheritagetoolstosupportthebroadunderstandingandpracticeofheritage

● SupportthedevelopmentofIndigenouspolicieswithrespecttoprotectionsofremains● Eliminatethelineofdemarcationestablishedat1846--whichseparatesarchaeologyand

history--inordertorecognizethestrongrelationshipbetweenthetwodisciplinesandtoeliminatethedistinctionbetweenIndigenousandnon-Indigenousheritage

● AmendtheHCAsothatitrecognizesanIndigenousperspectiveofheritage,whichislivingandvital,andthespiritoftradition,belief,andenvironment,inextricablylinkingpast,presentandfuture

● ReviewpoliciesrelatedtotheadministrationoftheHCA● Developcommunicationandcoordinationprotocolsaswellaseducationalresourcesthatwill

increasepublicabilitytoaccess,understand,andmobilizetheHCA● Broadenpublicunderstandingoftheimportanceofculturalartifactsandincentivizethe

disclosureandpossiblehandoverofculturalartifactsheldinprivatecollectionsResources

● DefiningHeritage● ProvincialStructures● IndigenousPeoples


6. Develop a toolkit to improve implementation of the Local Government Act, Part 15 – Heritage Conservation RationaleTheLGAistheonlyprovinciallegislationthatprovidesheritageconservationtoolstolocalgovernments.YetlocalgovernmentsarenotrequiredtoadoptanyformofheritageprotectionandtheProvinceofBCexertsnopressure,expectationorincentive.Heritageprotections,whenputintoplace,arenotbinding.Localgovernmentsneedsupportinunderstandingthegoals,benefits,andvaluesofheritageconservation--andlocalgovernmentstaffrequireeasy-to-implementsystems.Educationandadvocacywouldhelptoincentivizemunicipalitiestotakeadvantageoftheexistingtools.OnlyoneinfourlocalgovernmentsofferssomeformofheritageprotectionorrecognitionbasedontheLGA.Intheabsenceoflocalgovernmentsupport,otherentities,suchasnot-for-profitandvolunteerorganizationsaresometimesthedefactostewardsofthebuiltenvironment,buttheydonothavetheauthorityorresourcestoprotectheritageasintendedbytheLGA.Actions

● Developacomprehensive,easy-to-use,andaffordableresourceforlocalgovernmentstoencouragetheadoptionandsuccessfulimplementationofheritageconservationtools.Theresourceshouldaddressthemisunderstandingsofexistingheritageconservationtoolsandhighlightthecommunitybenefitsofheritageretentionsothatlocalgovernmentsareencouragedtoadoptheritageprotectionsandstaffarebetterequippedtoservetheircommunities.Specialattentionshouldbegiventosmallerlocalgovernmentsthatdonottypicallyhavethecapacitiestoimplementtheheritagetools

● Developadistributionprotocolforthisresourcetotargetinfluencers,includinglocalgovernmentsandprofessionalorganizations:aninteractivewebsite,webinars,downloadableguidebooks,workshops

● Developacohortofplannersandheritageplannerswhoprovidebestpractices,successfulmethodologies,andcasestudiesthatdemonstratethevalueofheritageconservation

Reference

● ProvincialStructures


7. Revise the Local Government Act, Part 15 – Heritage Conservation to align with current priorities and values of local governments and the sector RationaleTheLocalGovernmentAct(LGA;Section15–HeritageConservation)isinconsistentwiththecurrentunderstandingandpracticeofheritage:whiletheLGAprioritizesthebuiltenvironment,theheritagecommunityemphasizesthesocialandculturalaspectsofheritage,whichincludes,butisnotrestrictedto,thebuiltenvironment.IndigenouspeopleandruralparticipantsreporttheyareparticularlyaffectedbytheLGA'sprivilegingofthebuiltenvironmentoverotherheritageassetssuchasculturallandscapes.IftheLGAistogaingreaterrelevance,itsconservationtoolsandpolicyframeworkmustreflectprioritiesandvaluesthatareimportanttolocalgovernmentsandtothecurrentunderstandingsoftheheritagesector.Actions

● Reviewthelanguageusedin“Section15–HeritageConservation”sothatthelegislationreflectsthebroaderunderstandingofculturalheritageasitispracticedthroughouttheprovince

● Expand“Section15–HeritageConservation”(orcreateanewsection)withtoolsthatacknowledgeotherformsofheritagebeyondthebuiltenvironment

● Incentivizetheadoptionoftheheritageconservationtools,andimproverelevance,sothattheLGAreflectsbroaderinterests,priorities,andvalues

● Developtoolkittoguidelocalgovernmentsindescribingvaluesandprioritizingbuiltheritageretentionandconservation

● Provideleadershiptoincreasetheadoptionofheritageconservationtoolsbylocalgovernmentsandtoimprovetheinterpretationandtoincreasetheimplementationofthetools

References

● DefiningHeritage● HeritageConservationAct,LocalGovernmentAct,HeritageTools● IndigenousPeoples


8. Develop strategies to provide leadership for capacity building RationaleTheheritagesectorarticulatedrepeatedlyinroundtablesthatitisfacedwithmanystressors,whicharenoticeablyaffectingstabilityandgrowth.Long-termunder-resourcingisleadingtoafailureofsystems,placingheritageatrisk.Manyorganizationshavereachedthelimitsoftheircapacities,includingpersonnel,time,knowledge,infrastructure,andfunds.Manyorganizationalbudgetsincludelittlefundingforactivitiesthatarenotincludedindailyroutines;volunteerspayoutofpocket;smallerorganizationsneedtoclosewhenattendinganexternalactivity.Asaresult,theseorganizationsare,atbest,maintainingstatusquoor,atworst,insurvivalmode.RuralorganizationsareisolatedfromoneanotherandfromurbanBC;theyareunabletotakepartinmanyactivitiesofferedbyprovincialserviceorganizations.Despitegoodintentionsandaspirations,leadersarenotpresenttosparkprojectsandcollaborativeefforts.Nevertheless,thesectorretainsoptimismandiseagerforassistanceanddirection.Actions

● Developnewapproachestoimprovingcapacitiesandreducingisolation:○ Createtravelandaccommodationstipends○ Deliverprogramsinruralareasthataretailoredforthoseareas,suchasa"pocket

conference"thatbringsexpertisetoaregion○ Developandreviseprogramssothattheyareconsistentwiththecurrentunderstanding

andpracticeofheritage○ Provideopportunitiesthatsupportcohesionandconnectivity,andthatencourage

collaboration● Developprogramsthatembedacatalystorleadertosparkprojectsorcollaborativeefforts;

programsshouldincludesubsidies,soitisfinanciallypossibleforpeopletoattendactivities● Redevelopexistingfundingprogramsanddevelopnewfundingprogramsthatrecognize

organizationalneedsandimprovecapacities,especiallyforthoseinruralcommunities● Assistorganizationsin"makingacase"● Developprograms,supportedwithfunding,toencouragecollaborativeprojectsamong,

Indigenousgovernments,communitiesandorganizations,culturalgroups,andnon-Indigenousorganizations

References

● OrganizationalEffectivenessandCapacities● Urban/Remote


9. Improve funding opportunities and align them with the needs of the sector Rationale

LackoffundingisthegreatestchallengefacingtheheritagesectorandthecurrentleveloffundingishavingseriousramificationsonthestewardshipofBC’shistoryandheritage.Theheritagesectorisunder-resourced,whichhasplacedconsiderablestrainontheorganizationsthatareitsconstituents.Manyorganizationsaremerelycoping(andsomearenot)andthepotentialoftheirworkhasdiminished.Withoutnewinvestmentsandfundingprogramsdesignedtomeetthespecificneedsofheritage,thesectorwilllikelyfaceacrisis.Beyondaninvestmentoffunds,well-designedfundingprogramscaninfluenceprioritiesandcanbuildcapacities.

Actions

● Investinnewfundingprogramsthatencouragegrowth,capacitybuilding,andsustainabilityforlong-termresults

● InvestintheHeritageLegacyFund● Assessexistingfundprogramsforalignmentwithheritagesector.Consider:

○ Currentpracticeandprioritiesofheritage○ Terminologythatisunderstoodacrossthesector○ Applicationrequirementsthatarescaledtothesizeofthefundandtypeofapplicant○ Theabilityofthegrantprogramsupportapplicantsindevelopingcapacitiesand

relevancies○ Timelinesthatareappropriatetothedifferenttypesoffundedprojects

● Redesignexistingfundprograms,applicationcriteria,andeligibilitytoensureprogramsareclearlyopenandaccessibletoIndigenousanddiverseapplicants

● Providemuseumgrantprogramstosupporttheircoremissions(e.g.collecting,interpreting,exhibiting,educatingthroughartifacts)

● InvestinfundingforarchivingprojectsandprogramsReferences

● Capacity● Funding


10. Support the sector in describing its economic impact and relevance RationaleTheheritagesector--acrossitsmanyorganizations--understandsandarticulatesitscoremissionandvalues.However,whilethesectorcaneasilydiscussthesocialandculturalvaluesofheritage,itisnotabletoplaceitsworkinalargercontextandarticulateothertypesofbenefitsandimpacts,suchasthesector’scontributiontothelocaleconomy--andsomeparticipantsdonotbelieveaconnectionexists.Participantseasilydescribedinflowsofrevenue(e.g.grantfunds,membershipfees),butcouldnotdescribeeconomicbenefit(outflows)tothecommunity.Ifthesectorisnotableto“makeitscase,”itminimizesitsownvalueandrisksbeingperceivedasirrelevantand/orunnecessary.Thereisevidencethisisalreadythecase.Forsustainabilityandsurvival,theheritagesectormustbeabletodescribeitsrelevancetothelargercontext.Actions

● Developatoolkittoguidethesectorindescribingtangibleandintangiblevalues,benefits,andoutputs.Thetoolkitshouldbebasedonestablishedmethodologies,supportedwithmeasurementandanalysistools,andregularlyupdatedwithnewresearchandanalysis

● Continueprovincialeconomicandcapacitysurveys,whichprovidetheonlyeconomicdatarelatedtothesector(note:thesesurveysare,infact,theonlysurveysofthistypeinCanada).Reviewthepurposeofthesurveyandrenewthequestionnairetoensureappropriateinformationiscollectedtoeffectivelydescribethecontributionoftheheritagesector

● Undertakeacostanalysisofthesector’sfinances,time,andpaidandunpaidlabourforcetoproduceempiricaldataonthewellnessandcontributionofthesector;developanalyticstoprovideempiricaldataandsupportwithcasestudies

● Developresourcestosupportrevenuegenerationanddiversificationforsectororganizationsandeconomicimpactforlocalgovernments

● DeveloplinkagestothetourismsectorandrelationshipswithDestinationBCReferences

● EconomicDurabilityandDiversity● MakingaCase


11. Support the sector in developing and delivering content to BC's education system RationaleTherearemanysignsthatheritageandtraditionalknowledgeareatrisk.Roundtableparticipantsbelievethatyoungpeopledonotlearnabouttheirlocalcommunitiesthroughtheschoolcurriculum.Somelocalorganizationsaretryingtofillthevoid,butlikesomanyelementsoftheheritagesector,theseeffortsareisolatedandsporadic,andlittleisknownaboutthecollectiveeffort(e.g.howmanyorganizationsareofferingeducationalprogramstolocalschools;whataretheefforts;aretheysuccessful).Itisaburdenfororganizationstodevelopanddelivereducationalprograms,duetotheirlimitedcapacities.WhilemanybelievethatBC’seducationsystemisfailingBCbynotprovidingaccesstotheheritageoftheprovince,therearenewopportunitiesforcommunicationandcollaborationinthespaceofthenewprovincialcurriculum,anditisincumbentontheheritagesectortofosterrelationshipswiththeeducationsystemandtoprovidecontentandprogramstoteachers.Actions

● ItemizecurrentlyavailableeducationprogrammingtodocumentbestpracticesandsuccesseswithrespecttothecommunicationofBC'sdiverseheritageanddevelopandonlineresourcetoaccessit

● Developaninventoryofeducationalprograms--linkedtothecurrentcurriculum--tobeofferedbylocalorganizationsanddevelopscalableeducationmodelsthatprovideaccesstosmallerorganizationswithlimitedcapacities

● DeveloparelationshipwiththeMinistryofEducationandotherstoexplorewaysandmeansofdevelopinganddeliveringprovince-wideprogrammingbasedonstoriesoflocalidentityandvalues

● Examineandseektoresolveimpedimentstothedeliveryofeducationalprogramsinlocal,rural,andremoteareas

● Developacommunicationstoolkittobringtogethertheheritageandeducationsectors● Supportthetransmissionoftraditionalknowledge

References

● Education● Identity


12. Taking Action: support for the sector in creating catalyzing moments TheProvinceofBC,throughtheHeritageBranchincooperationofotherministriesandprovincialserviceorganizations,mustprovideleadershipinachievingtherecommendationsandincreasingthecapacitiesandmeanstoreachthegoalssetforthinthisreport.Thesectorissiloedfornumerousreasonsandthegovernment’sstructuresarecitedasacause.TheHeritageBranchandtheProvinceareaskedtoprovideleadershipinbringingtogetherministriesandbranchesasheritagespansallaspectsofoursociety.Itisrecognizedthatmanyorganizationsareduplicatingefforts;forexample,manyeducationalprogramshavebeendeveloped,buttheseeffortsaredoneinisolationandthesuccessesandbenefitsareunknown.Participantsrecognizedtheduplicationthisiscommonproblemrelatedtothekeytopicsofthisstudy.Aninventoryandanalysisofprogramsandservicesinallareasarerequiredtodevelopbestpracticesandcasestudies.PolicypapersareneededtoexpandupontheimportantworkoftheHeritageBCProvincialRoundtablesontheStateofHeritageReportandtosupportthesectorinfurtheringthepracticeofheritage,advancinginclusivityanddiversity,gainingstability,andachievinggreatereffectivenessofmanagingBC’shistoryandheritage.Thefindingsandrecommendationscontainedinthereportshouldbesharedwithsectorstakeholdersandwithotherrelatedsectors,includingeducationandtourism.Thereportshouldbecontinuallyusedasacatalysttobreakdownsilos,buildrelationships,andtoimprovethecapacities.Theimportanceofthisprojectcannotbeunderestimated,andthecollectedinformationandtherecommendationswilllikelyremaininfluentialformanyyears.Theworkoftherecommendationsmustbeinitiated,andprogressandresultsmustbemeasured.TheProvinceisurgedtorepeatthisprojectinfutureyears.


Appendices

Appendix A: List of Provincial Roundtable Meetings

1. May12,2018HeritageBCconference

2. June7,2018KelownaSupportingorganization:CentralOkanaganHeritageSociety35participantsincluded:planners,municipalstaff,archivists,UBCOstaff,not-for-profitstaffandboarddirectorsParticipantsincludedMLASteveThomson,MayorofDistrictofLakeCountry

3. June8,2018KamloopsSupportingorganization:KamloopsMuseum&Archives22participantsincluded:representativesofChineseandJapanesecommunities,schooldistricts,filmcommission,printmakerssociety,artgallery,archivist

4. July6,2018BCHeritageFairsConferenceheldinSquamishApproximately40-50participants

5. September19,2018QuesnelSupportingorganization:CityofQuesnelMuseum23participantsincluded:ForestProtectionAllies,QuesnelVisitorCentre,QuesnelRodeo,CityofQuesnel,Barkerville,StantecConsulting,CRDHeritageAdvisoryCommittee,CaribooChilcotinCoastTourismAssociation,CityofWilliamsLake,BackCountryHorseman,BCRodeoAssociation,Quesnel&DistrictMuseum&Archives

ParticipantsincludedMLACoraleeOakes


6. September20,2018

PrinceGeorgeSupportingorganization:CentralBCRailwayandForestryMuseum9participantsincluded:CityofPrinceGeorge,NorthBCArchivesUBNC,HubleHomesteadHistoricSite,TheExplorationPlace,RegionalDistrictFFG,TwoRiversGallery,CentralBCRailwayandForestryMuseum,PrinceGeorgeHeritageCommission

7. September21,2018FortSt.JohnSupportingorganization:NorthernTrailsHeritageSociety

11participants(membersoftheNorthernTrailsHeritageSociety)

8. September23,2018TerraceSupportingorganization:CityofTerrace

27participantsincluded:Terrace&DistrictMuseumSociety,RoyalRoadsUniversityCCNRA-CulturalandNaturalResources,TerraceRegionalHistoricalsociety,UNBC/LocalColourResearch,LittleHouseEnt.&TerraceDowntownImprovementAssociation,RegionalDistrictofKitimat-Stikine,KitsumkalumFirstNationCommunityandLandCodePlanner,KitselasLandsClerk,KitselasFirstNationLandsOfficer,HeritageParkMuseum,KleanzaConsultingLtd.,KitimatMuseum&Archives,BulkleyValleyMuseum

9. September25,2018

PrinceRupertSupportingorganization:MuseumofNorthernBC20participantsincluded:St.AndrewAnglicanCathedral,archivist,architect,NorthPacificCannery,MetlakatlaFirstNation,CityofPrinceRupert,OonaRiverCommunityAssociation

10. September27,2018SkidegateSupportingorganization:HaidaGwaiiMuseumatKayLlnagaay.

13participantsincluded:SkidegateBandCouncil,HaidaHeritageCentre,HaidaGwaiiArtsCouncil,MistyIslesEconomicDevelopmentSociety,HaidaGwaiiMuseum,GwaalgaaNaayCorp.ParticipantsincludedJasonAlsop,counciloftheHaidaNation


11. September28,2018MassetSupportingorganization:HaidaGwaiiMuseumatKayLlnagaay.

9participantsincluded:TluuXaadaNaay,LandfillAssociation,PortClementsHistoricalSociety,DixonEntranceMaritimeMuseumSociety,HaidaGwaiiCommunityFutures,SHN-HeritageNaturalResourceDepartment,DelfatlaSanctuarySociety

12. October9,2018

CrestonSupportingorganization:Creston&DistrictMuseumandHistoricalSociety12participantsincluded:EastShoreLearningPlace,CrestonMuseum,BricsoRecreationCommission,St.Mary’sIndianBand,TownofCreston,EricksonHistoryBookProject,?akisqnukFirstNationsParticipantsincludedCouncillorJimElkford

13. October10,2018FernieSupportingorganization:FernieMuseum

12participantsincluded:HolyFamilyChurch,FernieHeritageLibrary,Fernie&DistrictArtsCouncil,ChristChurchFernie,CityofFernie,DistrictofSparwood,Fernie&DistrictHistoricalSociety,KeyCityTheatre

14. October12,2018

TrailSupportingorganization:TrailMuseum&Archives

16participantsincluded:RosslandMuseum,GreenwoodHeritageSociety,TrailstotheBoundary,St.Andrew’sUnitedChurch,RosslandHeritageCommission,VISACArtGallery&Centre,GrayCreekHistoricalSociety,BeaverValleyandPendd’OreilleHistoricalSociety,KootenayColumbiaEducationHeritage,SocietàM.S.CristoforoColombo,LoggiaNo.1,CityofRossland,Teck,TrailHistoricalSociety,SalmoValleyHistoricalSociety

15. October13,2018

NakuspSupportingorganization:ArrowLakesHistoricalSociety

24participantsincluded:ArrowLakesHistoricalSociety,KootenayLakeHistoricalSociety,TouchstonesNelson,RevelstokeHeritageRailwaySociety,Nakusp&DistrictMuseum,Villageof


NewDenver(NikkeiCentre),SilverySlocanHistoricalSociety,VillageofKaslo,SlocanLakeArtsCouncil,ValleyVoice,SlocanLakeGardenSociety–KohanReflectionGarden,LardeauValleyHistoricalSociety,NakuspRailSocietyParticipantsincludedSuzanHewat,MayorofKaslo

16. January28,2018

MapleRidgeSupportingorganization:MapleRidgeCommunityHeritageCommission10participantsincluded:BritishColumbiaHistoricalFederation,PittMeadowsMuseumandArchives,MapleRidgeMuseumandArchives,CityofMapleRidge,MapleRidgeCommunityHeritageCommission,KeystoneArchitecture,MapleRidgeHistoricalSociety,MapleRidgeMuseum,CoquitlamHeritageSociety,MapleRidgeCommunityHeritageCommission

17. January29,2018

Vancouver

18participantsincluded:VancouverHeritageCommission,StevestonHistoricalSociety,ReoddeHouseMuseum,HeritageVancouverSociety,CityofVancouver,RareBooksandSpecialCollections,UBCLibrary,AnceBuildingServices,JudyOberlanderandAssociatesInc.,HistoricJoyKogawaHouse,KitsPointMilitaryMuseum,VancouverHeritageFoundation,GreaterVancouverJapaneseCanadianCitizensAssociation,CityofRichmond,VancouverBiennale,CityofRichmond,VancouverMaritimeMuseum,BinningFriends

18. January30

Burnaby

3participantsincluded:RoyalWestminsterRegimentHistoricalSociety,CityofVancouver,NikkeiNationalMuseum&CulturalCentre

19. January31

NorthVancouver10participatingorganizationsincluded:LifeThreadsCeremonies,DeepCoveHeritageSociety,SeatoSkyForestryCentreSociety,DistrictofSquamishCouncillor,ForestHistoryAssociationofBC,WestVancouverHistoricalSociety&DistrictofWestVancouverHeritageAdvisoryCommittee,WildBirdTrustofBC,BCHistoricalTrails,DistrictofNorthVancouver,ResortMunicipalityofWhistler


20. February1,2018Surrey16participatingorganizationsincluded:BCHistoricalFederation,Seyem'Qwantlen,AlderGroveHeritageSociety,SurreyHeritageSociety,BCFarmMuseumAssociation,CityofChilliwack,CityofLangley,SurreyHistoricalSociety,FleetwoodBIA,WhileRock,HeritageAbbotsfordSociety,BrianG.Hart&Company,RoyalCanadianLegion61,KilbyHistoricSite,Agassiz-HarrisonHistoricalSocietyandMuseum

21. February4,2019MetchosinSupportingorganization:14participatingorganizationsincluded:MetchosinHeritageAdvisorySelectCommittee,1948,SookeRegionMuseum,ShawniganLakeMuseum,DistrictofMetchosin,MetchosinMuseumSociety,MetchosinArts&CulturalAssociation,St.Mary'sChurch,RavenstoneMasonryConservationInc.,DistrictofSooke

22. February5

Victoria21participantsincluded:CityofVictoria,SchueckHeritageConsulting,VictoriaHeritageFoundation,InSituServices,SidneyMuseum,VancouverIslandUniversity,KerriWard&AssociatesMuseum&InterpretivePlanning,RavenstoneMasonryConservationInc.,RoyalBCMuseum,SaanichHeritage,RDHBuildingScience,OakBayHeritageFdn.andCommissionandSalishSeaBiosphereInitiativeBoard,GreekHeritageProjectMuseum,WentworthVilla-ArchitecturalHeritageMuseum,RoyalRoadsUniversity,BCMuseumsAssociation

23. February6

NanaimoSupportingorganization:NanaimoMuseum13participatingorganizationsincluded:NanaimoHistoricalSociety,NanaimoHistoricalSociety,NanaimoFamilyHistorySociety,NanaimoArchives,FriendsofMordenMine,OakParkHeritagePreservationSociety,CentralVancouverIslandMulticulturalSociety,NanaimoMuseum,CityofNanaimo,CityofParksville,TownofLadysmithParticipantsincludedCouncillorMarilynWilson,CityofParksville;CouncillorJimTurley,CityofNanaimo;CouncillorIanThorpe,CityofNanaimo


24. February7CampbellRiverSupportingorganization:MuseumofCampbellRiver4participatingorganizationsincluded:CortesIslandMuseum&Archives,HeritageworksLtd.,FilbergHeritageLodge&ParkAssoc.,MuseumofCampbellRiver

25. April2,2019 VancouverIslandPeerReviewMeeting

26. April3,2019 LowerMainlandPeerReviewMeeting

27. May10,2019PresentationatHeritageBCconferenceinNanaimo


Appendix B: Discussion Topics and Supporting Questions

1.DefiningHeritageinBCThesequestionsexploretheinclusionsandapproachestoheritage.Recognizingnoteveryonedefinesanddistinguishesheritageinthesameway,or‘practices’heritageinthesameway,wewanttolearnfromdifferentworldviewsandpoint-of-views.

● Foryou,whatisanidealdescriptionofheritage?Whatareexamplesofheritageaccordingtoyouridealdescription?

● Isthereanythingthatyouexcludeinyouridealdefinition?● Consideringwhatyoujustheard:

○ DotheseideasaboutheritageopenthedoorforinclusionandrespectofIndigenousheritage?

○ Similarly,dotheseideasaboutheritageopenthedoorforgreaterinclusivityandrepresentationofdistinctcommunities?

○ Ifnot,shouldheritageevolvesothatitisequallyinclusionofallpeople,places,andideas?

● Whataretherelationshipsofculturalheritagetoartsandcultureandotherdisciplines,suchasmuseologyandarchaeology?

● WhatdoyouthinkarethefuturedirectionsofheritageinyourcommunityandinBC?● Consideringwhatyouheard,whatarethekeystepsarts,cultureandheritageneedtotakein

ordertobeopenandreceptiveto,inclusiveandreflectiveofdifferentworldviews?Whatarethestepsthatareneedednowtomakethispossible?

2.TheVisionandValuesofHeritageWiththesequestionswewanttoexplorewhatheritagemeanstoyou,yourcommunityandtoBC,andtoexploreyourideasforthefutureofheritage.

● Whatarethevaluesthatareimportanttoyouwhendescribingheritageandhistory?Whatarethestoriesthatreflectthesevalues?

● Whatdoyouthinkisthefutureofheritageandwhatdoesitmeantosociety?Whatareyouraspirationsforarts,cultureandheritage?

● Recognizingtherearedifferentworldviewsinunderstandinganddescribinghistoryandheritage,howcanvisionandvaluesbeimprovedtobemoreinclusiveofFirstNations/Indigenouspeople?Howcanthevisionandvaluesbeimprovedtobemoreinclusiveofotherdistinctcommunities?

● Howcantheheritagesector(andmorebroadlythearts,cultureandheritagesector)supportreconciliation?

● Whatneedstohappenbeforeyourvisioncanberealized?Whatisneedednow?


3.BritishColumbia’sidentityisstrengthenedandrenewedthroughheritageconservationThesequestionsexplorehowhistoryandheritagecontributestoyourcommunity’sidentityandrenewalandhowthatcontributestotheoverallprovincialidentityandrenewal.

● Howdoyourecognizeandhonouryourcommunity’slegacies?● Whatareexamplesofyourpreservationandconservationworkthatstrengthentheidentity

[identities]ofyourcommunity?● Howdoesyourworkcontributetotherenewalofyourcommunity?● Consideringyourcommunity’sarts,cultureandheritagesectors,whatstoriestoyouwantto

passalongtofuturegenerations?Howshouldthisbedecided?● AreFirstNations/Indigenouspeopleappropriatelyrepresentedinthatstory?Aredistinct

communitiesrepresentedinthatstory?Whatneedstochangesothattheircontributionsandvoicesarecapturedinthestoriesthatdescribeyourcommunity’sidentity?

● HowcanHeritageBCsupportyourworkinstrengtheningyourcommunity’sidentityandrenewal?Whatisneedednow?

4.CollaborationinConservationRatherthantheresponsibilityofasingleagency,heritagerecognitionandprotectionisideallyachievedthroughcollaborationandpartnershipsatthelocallevel.Thesequestionsexplorethisconceptandhowitworksinyourcommunity.

● Howwouldyoudescribecollaboration(thesuccessesandchallenges)inyourcommunity?Howimportantiscollaborationinpreservingyourcommunity'shistoryandheritage,andinsupportingarts,cultureandheritageingeneral?

● Whoarethecollaboratorsinyourcommunity?Whoismissingfromthislist,butshouldbeacollaborator?Whosehistoryandheritagemightbeseenasmissingfromtheheritagenarrativesofyourcommunity?

● Whoarethecollaboratorsbeyondyourcommunity?Whodoyouneed"atthetable"andwhatdoyouneedthemtobring?

● HowcantheconditionsbeimprovedtofostercollaborationandpartnershipswithIndigenouspeople?Howcantheconditionsbeimprovedtofostercollaborationandpartnershipswithotherdistinctcommunities?

● Whataretheopportunitiesforcollaborationandpartnershipsamongpeopleofdifferentbackgrounds?

● Whatisneedednowinordertocreateandmaintaincollaborationsandpartnerships?

5.EvolvingthePracticeofHeritageThefieldofheritageconservationisfairlyyounginBritishColumbia,yetwehavealreadyseenchangesinpolicies,approachesanddefinitions.Wewanttohearfromyouaboutthedirectionsthischangeshouldtakeandwhatyoubelievearefuturepriorities.


● Doyouagreethepracticeofheritageischanging?Whatchangesareyouseeingnow?● Doyoubelievetheapproachtoheritageneedstoevolve?● Whatstoriesandhistories,relatedtoarts,culture,heritageandhistory,arenotbeingtold?Why

doyouthinkthisis?● Whatshouldchange,andwhatshouldbedone,sothestorieswetellaremoreinclusiveofother

worldviews?● HowshouldtheheritagesectorevolvesothatitismoreinclusiveofFirstNations/Indigenous

people?Howshouldtheheritagesectorevolvesothatitismoreinclusiveofdistinctcommunities?

● Whatwillbeneededtoachievethisevolution?Howcanthewaysheritageisdefined,identifiedandsupportedbechangedtobemoreinclusive?Whatisneedednow?

6.FutureOpportunitiesforHeritageToday’sconservationandpreservationofhistoryandheritageforfuturegenerationsisakeygoal.Withthesequestionswewillexplorehowthiscanbeaccomplished.

● Isheritagereflectiveofyourcommunity?Howcanheritagebemorereflectiveofthemanystoriesandlayersofyourcommunity?

● Howcanawidercommunityunderstandthebenefitsofconservingandpreservingawiderangeanddepthof/diversityofhistoryandheritage?Whatisneededtodemonstratethebenefitstothebroadcommunity?

● Whatmethods,communicationsandprotocolsareneededtofostercollaborationandpartnershipswithFirstNations/Indigenouspeople?Whatmethods,communicationsandprotocolsareneededtofostercollaborationandpartnershipswithotherdistinctcommunities?

● Howcanthearts,cultureandheritagesectorsupporttheaspirationsofallcommunitiestowardbetterrepresentationandinclusion?

● Whatresourceswillbeneeded?Whatneedstohappennow?

7.EnvironmentalstewardshipthroughheritageconservationThesequestionsexplorehowpreservationandconservationcontributetoenvironmentalstewardshipinyourcommunity,andhowthatsupportsoverallprovincialenvironmentalstewardship.

● Whatdoyouthinkaretheconnectionsbetweenheritageandtheenvironment?● Thinkinggenerally,whatistheroleandresponsibilityofpreservationandconservationin

environmental,socialandeconomicstewardship?● Howisthisappliedinyourcommunity?Howdothelocalarts,cultureandheritagesectors

contributetoenvironmental,socialandeconomicstewardship?● Whatresourcesdoyouneedtomaintainandimprovethiscontribution?Whatisneedednow?


● WhataretheconnectionsbetweenenvironmentalstewardshipandFirstNations/Indigenouspeoplecommunities?Whataretheconnectionsbetweenenvironmentalstewardshipandotherdistinctcommunities?

8.EconomicdiversityanddurabilitythroughheritageconservationWiththesequestionsweexploretheeconomicsofpreservationandconservation.

● Whatistherelationbetweenheritageandtheeconomy?● Doeslocalheritagecontributetothelocaleconomy?Examplescouldbehiringandcontracting

locally,buyinglocally,attractingtourists,partneringwithcommunityorganizations,andofferingspecialevents.Whataretheexamplesexistinginyourcommunity?

● Whatentrepreneurialapproachesdoyouorcouldyoutaketosupporttheoperationofyourorganizationandfurtheritsmandate?Whatarethewaysthatyourorganizationearnsrevenue?

● Whatdoyouneedtoaddresslong-termoperationalsustainability?(thinkbeyondfunding)● Consideringthefutureneedsforthepreservationandconservationofyourhistoryandheritage,

whatcapacitiesaremissingorneedfurtherdevelopment/support?(Examplesmightincludeskills,training,humanandfinancialresources,accesstoinformation,andsoon.)

● Inthecontextofthisconversation,whatistheconnectionbetweeneconomicdiversityanddurabilityandFirstNationscommunities?Inthecontextofthisconversation,whatistheconnectionbetweeneconomicdiversityanddurabilityandotherdistinctcommunities?

● HowcanHeritageBCsupportyourworkinachievingeconomicdiversityanddurability?Whatneedstohappennow?


Appendix C: Overview of Meeting Format and Presentation of Topics

1. Eighttopicswereselectedtoexplorethecurrentstateofheritage.Severalofthetopicsweretakendirectlyfromtheprovince’sstrategyforhistoricplaces.Mostmeetingscoveredallormostoftheeighttopics.Attimesitwasdeterminedatopicwouldnotbeagoodfitwiththeparticipantsandsothetopicwasnotintroducedinthatconversation.

2. Thesupportingquestionsweredesignedtoencourageconversations,andtheywerenot

necessarilyintendedtobeanswered.Originally,thesupportingquestionsincludedspecificreferencestoFirstNationsanddiversecommunities,asawaytoensureparticipantsconsideredallpeopleintheircommunities.Atvaryingtimesthesequestionswereinappropriate(whenIndigenouspeoplewerepresent)orunnecessary(theconversationsnaturallyconsideredinclusivity).Overtime,thesequestionsweredroppedfromthesupportingquestions.

Observations:

- ItwasnotnecessarytoincludespecificquestionsaboutFirstNationsanddiversecommunities;inthefuture,questionsliketheseshouldbeavoidedasthatapproachisnotconsistentwithparticipants’viewsandpracticesofheritage.

- Thequestionsaboutenvironmentandeconomywerechallengingthroughouttheprocess.Theroundtablesdidnotprovideacontextfortheseconversations;manyparticipantsdidnotknowhowtodefineenvironmentandeconomy.

- Althoughconsiderabletimewasdedicatedtodevelopingthe‘right’questions,experienceshowedthequestionswerenotalwaysappropriate.Languageoftenbecameanissue;forexample,thetopicsandquestionsfrequentlyusedtheword“conservation”,butmanypeoplebelievedthewordtobeinappropriateortoonarrow.Althoughacommonworkintheheritagesector,“conservation”isusedinmanydifferentways.

3. Uponarrivingatameeting,participantswereaskedtoputtheirnameonanametag.Eachtag

hadbeenpre-printedwithoneofsixcolours.Peoplewereaskedtoseparateintogroupsaccordingtotheircolouredbadges;thiswastoseparatefriendsandcolleaguesandtoavoid‘groupthink’.

Thebasicpresentationformat:

- Participantsweredividedintosixgroupsaccordingtotheircolouredbadges;eachgroupdiscussedoneofthefirstsixtopicslistedabove.

- Participantswerethenaskedtomovetoatopicthatinterestedthem(samesixtopics).- Intheafternoon,participantsdividedintosixgroupsaccordingtotheircolouredbadges;

twogroupsdiscussedeconomy;twogroupsdiscussedenvironment;onegroupdiscussedthefutureofheritage.

- Participantswerethenaskedtomovetoatopicthatinterestedthem(topics6to8).


- Therewereseveralopportunitieseachgrouptoreportbacktotheentiregroup.Inthispresentationformat,eachparticipantcouldexplorefourtopics.

Observations:

- Thiswasagoodformatforlargergroups;itwouldbeworthrepeating.- Thisisnotagoodformatforsmallergroups.- Theactualformatchangedaccordingtothegroup.Sometimesthemorningstartedwith

break-outgroupsandthentheafternoonremainedinplenary.Sometimesgroupspreferredtoremaininplenarysessionfortheentireday.

- Thesizeandmake-upofthegroupsandthesizeandconfigurationoftheroominfluencedtheformatofthemeetings.

- Inresponsetomeetingconditions,theformatcouldchangeasthemeetingprogressed.


Appendix D: Participating Organizations (informationassupplied)?AkisqnukFirstNations?AqamSt.Mary'sIndianBand1948Agassiz-HarrisonHistoricalSocietyandMuseumAlderGroveHeritageSocietyAnceBuildingServicesArchivist,LakeCountryMuseumArrowLakesHistoricalSocietyBackCountryHorsemanBarkervilleBCFarmMuseumAssociationBCHeritageFairsSocietyBCHistoricalFederationBCHistoricalTrailsBCHorsemenBCMuseumsAssociationBCRodeoAssociationBeaverValley&Pendd'OreilleHistoricalSocietyBinningFriendsBrianG.Hart&CompanyBulkleyValleyMuseumSmithersBVMuseumCaribooChilcotinCoastTourismAssoc.CathedralChurchofSt.AndrewsCedarCityMuseumCederwoodHeritageConsultingCentralOkanaganFoundationCentralOkanaganHeritageSocietyCentralOkanaganLandTrustCentralVancouverIslandMulticulturalSocietyCentreculturelfrancophonedeI'OkanaganChristChurchFernieCityCouncilCityKelownaCityofChilliwackCityofFernieCityofFortSt.JohnCityofLangleyCityofMapleRidgeCityofMerrittCityofNanaimoCityofParksvilleCityofPrinceGeorge

CityofPrinceRupertCityofQuesnelCityofRichmondCityofRosslandCityofTerraceCityofVancouverCityofVictoriaCityofWestKelownaCityofWilliamsLakeCoquitlamHeritageSocietyCortesIslandMuseum&ArchivesCounciloftheHaidaNationCRDHeritageAdvisoryCommitteeCrestonMuseumDeepCoveHeritageSocietyDelfatlaSanctuarySocietyDepartmentofHistory,UBCoftheOkanaganDistrictofLakeCountryDistrictofMetchosinDistrictofNorthVancouverDistrictofPeachlandDistrictofSookeDistrictofSparwoodDistrictofSquamishDixonEntranceMaritimeMuseumSocietyEastShoreLearningPlaceEricksonHistoryEricksonHistoryBookProjectFernieandDistrictArtsCouncil;TheArtsStationFernieandDistrictHistoricalSocietyFernieHeritageLibraryFilbergHeritageLodge&ParkAssoc.FleetwoodBIAForestHistoryAssociationofBCForestProtectionAlliesFriendsofBarkervilleFriendsofQuesnelandDistrictMuseumandArchivesGeorgeLittleHouseGoldenMuseumGrayCreekHistoricalSocietyGreaterVancouverJapaneseCanadianCitizensAssociation


GreaterVernonMuseum&ArchivesGreekHeritageProjectMuseumGwaalgaaNaayCorp.HaidaGwaaiCommunityFuturesHaidaGwaiiArtsCouncilHaidaGwaiiCommunityFutureHaidaGwaiiMuseumHaidaHeritageCentreHeritageAbbotsfordSocietyHeritageParkHeritageVancouverSocietyHeritageworksLtd.HGECHistoricJoyKogawaHouseHolyFamilyChurchHubleHomesteadHistoricSiteIGSGroupIndigenousStudiesUBCOInSituServicesJudyOberlanderandAssociatesInc.KamChineseFreemasonsKamHeritageRailwayKAMJapaneseKamloopsArtGalleryKamloopsChineseCulturalKamloopsHeritageCommissionKamloopsHeritageSocietyKamloopsHeritageSocietyAntiqueChiefKamloopsSocietyoftheWrittenArtsKelownaMuseumsKerriWard&Associates,Museum&InterpretivePlanningKeyCityTheatreKeystoneArchitectureKilbyHistoricSiteKitimatMuseumandArchivesKitsPointMilitaryMuseumKitselasFirstNationKitselas--RRU-CCNRAKleanzaConsultingKootenayColumbiaEducationHeritageKootenayLakeHistoricalSocietyLakeCountryHeritage&CulturalSocietyLakeCountryMuseumLandfillAssociationLardeauValleyHistoricalSociety

LeakLifeThreadsCeremoniesMapleRidgeCommunityHeritageCommissionMapleRidgeHistoricalSocietyMapleRidgeMuseumMapleRidgeMuseumandArchivesMerrittHeritageRailwayMetchosinArts&CulturalAssociationMetchosinHeritageAdvisorySelectCommitteeMetchosinMuseumSocietyMetis-RRU-CCNRAMetlakatlaFirstNationMistyIslesEconomicDevelopmentSocietyMuseumofCampbellRiverMuseumofNBCMuseumQI-CDHsNakuspandDistrictMuseumNakuspRailSocietyNanaimoArchives,FriendsofMordenMineNanaimoHistoricalSocietyNanaimoHistoricalSociety,NanaimoFamilyHistorySocietyNanaimoMuseumNewPathwaystoGoldNikkeiNationalMuseum&CulturalCentreNorthPacificCannery,BCHeritageFairs,BCHistoricalFederationNorthPeaceMuseumNorthernBCArchives,UNBCOakBayHeritageFdn.andCommissionandSalishSeaBiosphereInitiativeboardOakParkHeritagePreservationSocietyOkanaganHistoricalSocietyOkanaganIndianBandOliverHeritageSocietyOonaRiverCommunityAssociationOsoyoosMuseumPastheritageadvisorycommitteePittMeadowsMuseumandArchivesPortClementsHistoricalSocietyPrinceGeorgeHeritageCommissionPrinceRupertArchivesQueenCharlotteVisitorCentreQuesnelandDistrictCommunityArtsCouncilQuesnelRodeoQuesnelVisitorCentre


RareBooksandSpecialCollections,UBCLibraryRavenstoneMasonryConservationInc.RDHBuildingScienceRegionalDistrictofFraser-FortGeorgeRegionalDistrictofKitimat-StikineReoddeHouseMuseumResortMunicipalityofWhistlerRevelstokeHeritageRailwaySocietyRosslandHeritageCommissionRosslandHistoricalMuseumRosslandMuseumRosslandMuseumandDiscoveryCentreRoyalBCMuseumRoyalCanadianLegion61RoyalRoadsUniversityRoyalRoadsUniversity-KitslasRoyalWestminsterRegimentHistoricalSocietyRRU-CCNRASaanichHeritageSalmoValleyHistoricalSocietySandonSchueckHeritageConsultingSD73SeatoSkyForestryCentreSocietySeyem'QwantlenShawniganLakeMuseumSidneyMuseumSilverStarMountainMuseumSilverySlocanHeritageSocietySkidegateandHaidaGwaiiSkidegateBandCouncilSkidegateHaidaImmersionProgramSlocanLakeArtsCouncil-VillageVoiceSlocanLakeGardenSocietySlocanValleyHistoricalSocietySmithsonianInstitutionSncewipsHeritageMuseumSocietaMSChristoforoColomboLoggiaNo1SolutionsTable,SHN-HeritageNaturalResourceDepartment

SookeRegionMuseumSt.Andrew’sAnglicanCathedralSt.Andrew’sUnitedChurchSt.Mary'sChurchStantecConsultingStevestonHistoricalSocietySurreyHeritageSocietySurreyHistoricalSocietyTerraceHistoricalSocietyTerraceRegionalHistoricalSocietyTheExplorationPlaceMuseumandScienceCentreTluuXaadaNaay(artistandcommunitystudio)TouchstonesNelsonTourismKamloopsTownofCrestonTownofLadysmithTrailHistoricalSocietyTrailstotheBoundaryGreenwoodHeritageSoc.TsimshanTwoRiversGalleryUBCLocalColourResearchUBCO,ArchivesVancouverBiennaleVancouverHeritageCommissionVancouverHeritageFoundationVancouverIslandUniversityVancouverMaritimeMuseumVictoriaHeritageFoundationVillageofAshcroftMuseumVillageofKasloVillageofNewDenver(NikkeiCentre)VISACArtGalleryandCentreWentworthVilla-ArchitecturalHeritageMuseumWestbankFirstNationWhileRockWildBirdTrustofBCWLStampedeAssociationWVHistoricalSociety&DWVHeritageAdvisoryCommittee

(Accordingtopostalcode;notallrespondentsprovidedlocationinformation)

The State of Heritage 18

“This meeting is one of the most exciting things to come along and there is a great opportunity…

“Will people be heard? Will something happen? Will something come back?

We hope this meeting really goes somewhere.

“Words need to be turned to action. Without hope, there will be no legacy or heritage.”

heritagebc.ca

HeritageBC

May 2019

HERITAGE BC Provincial Roundtables on the State of ... · heritage sector in the province, and...

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