Letter to the Heritage Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport re: Feedback on Heritage Conservation Act Modernization

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200 – 1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC V8R 1H8  
Telephone (250) 405-5151 Fax (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 660-2421. Elsewhere in BC 
1.800.663.7867 
Email information@islandstrust.bc.ca  
Web www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
Preserving and protecting over 450 islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea 
Bowen Denman Hornby Gabriola Galiano Gambier Lasqueti Mayne North Pender Salt Spring Saturna South Pender Thetis 
November 14, 2025 File No.: 5690-30-10 
 
Heritage Branch 
Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport 
Government of British Columbia 
 
Via email: EngageHCA@gov.bc.ca 
 
Dear Representatives of the Heritage Branch,  
 
Re:  Feedback on Heritage Conservation Act Modernization 
 
On behalf of the Islands Trust Council, I am writing to offer comment on the proposed 
modernization of the Heritage Conservation Act (HCA). This is an important effort and we offer 
support of the work to ensure that the protection of cultural heritage in British Columbia is aligned 
with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). 
 
Through our ongoing engagement with First Nations whose territories encompass the Islands Trust 
Area, we have consistently heard that cultural heritage protection must be grounded in Nation-led 
authority and knowledge systems. First Nations have emphasized the importance of: 
• Strengthening their decision-making authority with respect to heritage sites, ancestral 
places, and cultural landscapes. 
• Embedding Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in all heritage-related processes. 
• Formally recognizing Indigenous knowledge systems in site protection and management. 
• Ensuring sufficient resources are provided to enable Nations to meaningfully participate in 
decision-making, monitoring, and protection. 
 
In almost every meeting held with a First Nation we learn of the significance of ancestral village 
sites, burial grounds, and cultural landscapes, and the impacts of historic and ongoing 
development. We have been humbled to have had teachings shared with us about the importance 
of caring for ancestors, including the integrity of their burial places, and that ancestors, in turn, will 
look out for the health and knowledge of their people. We support these teachings being reflected 
in cultural heritage protection frameworks and in land use planning documents. 
 
We have also heard reflections that extend beyond the scope of the HCA, such as desire for land 
back and a need for sustainable funding to enable engagement with Islands Trust/local 
governments in order to mutually advance the shared objective of safeguarding cultural heritage 
within a reconciliation framework through tools such as designation of Heritage Conservation 
Areas. 
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Preserving and protecting over 450 islands and surrounding waters in the Salish Sea 
Bowen Denman Hornby Gabriola Galiano Gambier Lasqueti Mayne North Pender Salt Spring Saturna South Pender Thetis 
 
 
Heritage Branch,  

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