Musqueam People Protect Sacred Burial Site

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Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

September 2012 UPDATE: Musqueam victorious. Their protests have protected sacred groun. BC Government will not allow condo development at Marpole site.
viewtopic.php?p=15706#p15706

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May 3, 2012

Musqueam Nation Marches to Protect Burials from Destruction. . .

The threat from a condo project to a First Nations burial site, has sparked outrage amongst the Musqueam people. They and their supporters took to the streets of Vancouver and marched this morning, to protest against the destruction of the 4,000 year-old Marpole Village and Midden, "one of the most important native village and burial sites in Canada", according to the leadership.

To make their point of the historic significance of this burial site, they explained that the midden has been the site of continuous occupation by the Musqueam people "since the time of the first pyramids in Egypt". . . As well as "a National Historic Site for Canada since 1938".

This week, partially uncovered infant burials were found on the construction site, along with other human remains discovered over the past weeks. An advisory explained,"Without urgent government action, this sacred site, and the potential of a future interpretive centre and park for all Canadians, will be lost forever."

Chief Ernest Campbell, of Musqueam Nation pointed an accusing finger at the BC Government, "The Province of BC and its Archaeological Branch has over the past weeks delayed the negotiations with stalling tactics. . .It has been extremely frustrating trying to deal with the province on this issue. It has made it very difficult to come to an amicable solution when one of the stakeholders is not at the table."

First Nations Summit leaders are speaking out in support of the Musqueam Nation in their continuing fight to protect the remains of their ancestors located on the former Musqueam village site C̓əsnaʔəm, now known as the Marpole Midden.

"What is the point in having a Heritage Conservation Act in this province", questioned Dan Smith of the First Nations Summit political executive while attending today’s Musqueam rally.

"It is unfathomable to believe that even though the complete remains of two Musqueam infant burials have been found on this site, little has been done to ensure the site’s protection and preservation. This is a terrible example of disrespect and apathy by the various levels of bureaucracy. It is an affront to the Musqueam people, their ancestors and their heritage."

"Governments must recognize that ancient heritage sites such as the Marpole village site are not just another avenue or means to generate economic development. These lands are sacred to our people, to our communities. They are our footprint and our anchor that holds us true to who we are. We must fight to protect these valuable cultural ties to our past", added Grand Chief Edward John, also of the First Nations Summit executive.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the B.C. Union of Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stated, "The disgusting and deplorable actions of the developer to continue to knowingly and wilfully destroy burial sites are utterly reprehensible."

The Musqueam point to the urgent need to preserve the last remaining undisturbed portion of the midden site, "before further development destroys one of the most meaningful storehouses of the history and culture of the Musqueam people."
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Recent Discovery of Infant Remains requires Urgent Action

Press Release - (May 3rd, 2012) - Musqueam Traditional Territory, Vancouver, BC

Chief Ernest Campbell, of Musqueam Nation expressed his unequivocal support for today’s march and rally to protect the burials of Musqueam ancestors at the once great Musqueam village, c̓əsnaʔəm
(commonly known as the Marpole Midden), located in and around 1336 SW Marine Drive in Vancouver.

Chief Campbell confirmed that “Further work on the site has unearthed evidence of two partially uncovered infant burials and at this time we welcome any and all support to protect the two infants and other burials uncovered at the site including that received from other First Nations and Aboriginal groups who see this as part of their own efforts to protect their culture.”

The Musqueam Nation has offered to work with the BC government, the City of Vancouver and the developers towards an agreement where there would be a land swap, facilitated primarily by the Musqueam Indian Band, in exchange for the protection of the site into a heritage park for all citizens to enjoy. Chief Campbell emphasized that the City has been cooperative and the developer engaged with the discussions, however at this time, it has been the Province of BC stalling the efforts to come to an agreement.

“The Province of BC and its Archaeological Branch has over the past weeks delayed the negotiations with stalling tactics.” Chief Campbell added, “It has been extremely frustrating trying to deal with the province on this issue. It has made it very difficult to come to an amicable solution when one of the stakeholders is not at the table.”

Chief Campbell finished by stating that, “the Musqueam Nation and our supporters will use every lawful tool at our disposal, including supporting the exercise of their right of peaceful protest by our membership, other Aboriginal people and other supporters, to protect our burials and village site.”

c̓əsnaʔəm, the Marpole Midden village site and burials are, located in and around South West Marine Drive in Vancouver, BC within Musqueam Traditional Territory. It has been a known archaeological site for over 100 years and is recognized as a Canadian Heritage Site, containing priceless artifacts and undisturbed intact burials of the Musqueam people.

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UBCIC Fully Supports the Musqueam & Calls on the BC Government to Protect Infant Remains at ćəsna?əm

(Musqueam Territory/Vancouver-Canada, May 3, 2012) Today, the Musqueam People are rallying and marching on Granville Street to a Musqueam ancestral cultural site and burial ground dating back thousands of years to protest the continued destruction and desecration of the burial remains of Musqueam ancestors. It has been determined that on the site of their ancient village ćəsna?əm human remains of two infants have been located.

The Musqueam believe the BC Government and the City of Vancouver have placed the commercial interest of the Co-developers, Century Holdings and Ms. Fran and Mr. Gary Hackett, above the just and fundamental human right assertion of the Musqueam that this site not be developed.

“As a grandparent, it is absolutely infuriating that the BC Government has allowed the continued desecration of infant remains at the Marpole Village Site, now known as the Marpole Midden,” stated Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “The disgusting and deplorable actions of the developer to continue to knowingly and wilfully destroy burial sites are utterly reprehensible.”

Grand Chief Phillip continued, “There is opportunity here for the BC Government, the City of Vancouver and the developer to do what is right and move forward with Musqueam’s substantial proposal of a land swap. To continually ignore this win-win proposition, represents a complete disregard and callous indifference towards the ancestral remains of the Musqueam and is a gross affront to all First Nations. We will follow the lead of the Musqueam People, if they want to protect the site at all costs, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs will stand with them.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, (250) 490-5314
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For Immediate Release:

May 3, 2012

Ancient Musqueam Marpole village site
must be protected from further desecration

Coast Salish Territory/ Vancouver, BC – First Nations Summit leaders are speaking out in support of the Musqueam Nation in their continuing fight to protect the remains of their ancestors located on the former Musqueam village site C̓əsnaʔəm, now known as the Marpole Midden.

The Musqueam Nation has been engaged in discussions with the City of Vancouver and the co-developers of the site, Century Holdings Ltd. and Fran and Gary Hackett, on a proposal to conduct a land swap which would result in the protection and preservation of the remains located on the sacred ancient Musqueam village site. Unfortunately, the provincial government has placed the urgent discussions in jeopardy by delaying their participation in the negotiations.

“What is the point in having a Heritage Conservation Act in this province”, questioned Dan Smith of the First Nations Summit political executive while attending today’s Musqueam rally.

“It is unfathomable to believe that even though the complete remains of two Musqueam infant burials have been found on this site, little has been done to ensure the site’s protection and preservation. This is a terrible example of disrespect and apathy by the various levels of bureaucracy. It is an affront to the Musqueam people, their ancestors and their heritage”.

“Governments must recognize that ancient heritage sites such as the Marpole village site are not just another avenue or means to generate economic development. These lands are sacred to our people, to our communities. They are our footprint and our anchor that holds us true to who we are. We must fight to protect these valuable cultural ties to our past”, added Grand Chief Edward John, also of the First Nations Summit executive.

The First Nations Summit has sent letters to the provincial government encouraging them to actively engage with the Musqueam Nation and work toward the protection of the ancient Musqueam village site.

C̓əsnaʔəm is located in the South West Marine Drive area in Vancouver, within Musqueam Traditional Territory. The site was recognized as a Canadian Heritage Site as far back as 1933 and contains priceless artifacts and undisturbed intact burials of the Musqueam people.


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The First Nations Summit speaks on behalf of First Nations involved in treaty negotiations in British Columbia. The Summit is also a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Further background information on the Summit may be found at http://www.fns.bc.ca


For Further Information:
Colin Braker
Communications Director

First Nations Summit
604-926-9903

[admin]

Urgent Action Needed to Protect Ancient Marpole Village and Burial Site from Destruction

Musqueam Nation calls on Provincial Government to help save one of Canada’s most important native village and burial sites from development as a condo project

http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg ... x?id=15609

Musqueam Traditional Territory, Vancouver, BC, May 10th, 2012: More than 100 Musqueam Nation members and supporters demonstrated today on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature, as a call to action to prevent the ongoing destruction of cəsnaʔəm (commonly known as the Marpole Midden), a Musqueam Village site since the time of the great pyramids of Egypt and the resting place of many of our ancestors. Recent construction has unearthed the remains of the burials of one adult and two infants.

(Above: Musqueam march earlier this week in Vancouver)

“The present excavation and development on this burial site – especially following the recent discovery of intact infant burials – is unconscionable,” stated Chief Ernest C. Campbell of the Musqueam Indian Band. “These acts erase our culture and our identity. We have a proposal for an interpretive centre and park, funded by Musqueam, but the provincial government has yet to respond to our offer.”

Musqueam have proposed a land swap – at no cost to taxpayers – and the creation of a public heritage park that recognizes Musqueam cultural history. While the province has recently appointed a mediator, discussions have been moving slowly, and the developer has warned that he will continue to work on the site if a resolution is not imminently found.

cəsnaʔəm is located in and around SW Marine Drive in Vancouver within Musqueam Traditional Territory. It has been a known archaeological site for over 100 years and recognized as a Canadian Heritage Site since 1933, containing priceless artifacts and undisturbed intact burials of the Musqueam people. Musqueam are today asking British Columbians to lend their support to the Marpole Midden’s continued preservation.

Please visit our site to lend your support:
http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/pet ... -sites/943

Media contacts:
Howard E. Grant, Councillor
Musqueam Indian Band
604-868-3198
hgrant@fns.bc.ca

BACKGROUND:
c̓əsnaʔəm, (commonly known as the Marpole Midden) located in present day Vancouver in the heart of Traditional unceded Musqueam Territory, is an ancient village and burial site of the Musqueam people, dating back least 4,000 years. In addition to being the sacred resting place of our ancestors, it is recognized as a Canadian National Historic Site, containing priceless artifacts and undisturbed intact burials of Musqueam people. This site was looted extensively by archaeologists between the late 19th through mid-20th centuries (including the removal of over 100 intact remains) for research and storage in museums both locally and internationally. Concurrent to archaeological work, c̓əsnaʔəm has also been impacted by a century of development.

A residential condo development is planned for the site and despite Musqueam’s objections to the destruction of a sacred site the Province issued archaeological “investigation” and “alteration” in December 2011. In January 2012 the intact burial of an ancestor was discovered and Musqueam wrote to the provincial and federal governments, to the City of Vancouver, and to the developer to resolve the matter through agreement and an appeal made to the Premier but no meaningful response was received. In early March news of the burial and continued work on the site prompted Band members to protest at to halt construction and protect their ancestors. This led to a 4 week suspension of work on the site which resulted in no agreement as the Province failed to participate in any meaningful way. The developer then continued with work and the Band continued to try to bring the Province to the table.

Continued work on the site unearthed two partially-uncovered infant burials. The developer has applied for permission to remove these remains. On May 3, 2012, in response to this development, over 100 Musqueam and supporters marched to c̓əsnaʔəm to demonstrate commitment to the appropriate and respectful care of our ancestors and to demand action. Musqueam protestors and supporters continue to maintain a vigil around the clock.

Musqueam has proposed a land swap – at no cost to taxpayers – and the creation of a public heritage park in recognition of Musqueam cultural history. This park would ensure the long-term protection of c̓əsnaʔəm, and provide a space for citizens of Musqueam and Metro Vancouver to proudly welcome visitors through the celebration of our ancient roots.

This petition calls for the cancellation of the archaeological permits issued by the Province and call on the Province to enter into immediate negotiations for a mutually acceptable resolution.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/FpwhvWnJZso?fs

[admin]

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo
joined drummers and supporters while visiting protesters
at the ancient Musqueam village and burial site of c̓əsnaʔəm
in Marpole, Vancouver, Canada on 2012-05-15.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/v/Akvk9ZtSNYA

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

BC Métis Federation Calls Province to Action on Regional Musqueam First Nation
May 25, 2012

Dear Premier Clark and Minister Thompson,

The BC Métis Federation writes on behalf of our board of directors, members and Métis community organizations from across British Columbia to urge the Provincial Government to immediately address the situation confronting the Musqueam First Nation in an area referred to as the Marpole Midden.

Over the course of the last few weeks a number of Métis people have shown their support for the Musqueam First Nation to ensure this known historic site is not subject to further commercial development. I recognize your offices have received a number of correspondences regarding this situation and as such I want to offer another perspective regarding this matter.

Many of us in the Aboriginal community hear terms used by various provincial government politicians about a new relationship with Aboriginal people. There are those who would agree and disagree about whether the provincial government is meeting an Aboriginal perspective in how we define what a new relationship might mean for Aboriginal people. Regardless of opinions what Aboriginal people see through the Musqueam First Nation issue is that a permit was granted carelessly by the provincial government. Despite solutions offered by Musqueam First Nation it is unclear why the provincial government cannot take immediate actions to ensure a resolution can be achieved in the interest of all parties and to bring this matter to closure.

Métis people have spent time at the Musqueam First Nation led protest site and the impacts to their families and community cannot be understated given the personal sacrifices by so many from their community. It is therefore increasingly confusing why any government would allow this situation to continue without a priority to end the matter. Many of these Musqueam families have been there for the majority of the last three weeks and we urge your provincial government to expedite a solution process for all concerned.

The BC Métis Federation strongly supports the Musqueam First Nation and our members continue to volunteer time to support their issue. We will continue our support until this matter is resolved.

Thank you,

Keith Henry
President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office 1-604-638-7220
Cell 1-778-388-5013
Email k.henry@bcmetis.com

[admin]

Musqueam protest condo plans on First Nations graveyard in Marpole

By Suzanne Fournier, The Province May 29, 2012

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/technology/M ... z1wNC5xDjL

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Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

Protests aim to help save Musqueam's sacred site - c̓əsnaʔəm - the Marpole Midden. . .

May 31st, 2012

On the BC Mainland, the Musqueam warned motorists in advance of major traffic disruptions.
Protestors marched on the Arthur Laing Bridge,
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/05/31/bc-musqueam-protest-midden.html

their Thursday May 31st blockade forced the rerouting of morning rush hour traffic into Vancouver. . .

(Above: Tuesday's protest in Vancouver)

They are blockading the busy Arthur Laing bridge, a major Vancouver area commuter traffic route. The blockade begins at 7:30 am. Thursday May 31st, 2012.

http://www.vancourier.com/news/PHOTO+GALLERY+Vancouver+First+Nations+protest+targets+cemetery/6696521/story.html

(Musqueam people and supporters staged a demonstration Tuesday outside the Mountain View Cemetery at 41st and Fraser. Protestors included former Canuck tough guy Gino Odjick.)

"The Musqueam people decry inaction by the government to protect Musqueum's ancient village and sacred burial site, formerly designated by the city as a Heritage Site. Developers have been given permission to destroy this site to create condos.

The Marpole Midden, located in the heart of traditional unceded Musqueam Territory, is an ancient village and burial site of the Musqueam people, dating back least 4,000 years.

"In addition to being the sacred resting place of our ancestors, it is recognized as a Canadian National Historic Site, containing formerly undisturbed intact burials of the Musqueam people. Over time archaeologists removed over 100 intact remains - who are now stored in museums across the world."

During digging for a residential condo development, in January one of the Musqueum people's ancestors was discovered.

The Musqueam took their pleas to the provincial and federal governments, the City of Vancouver, the Premier, and the developers but no response was given.

"This land was appropriated by the Government, but protected by the designation as a Heritage site, thus not to be desecrated or developed. BUT AGAIN! ANOTHER PROMISE WAS BROKEN!"



Musqueum people's Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectTheVill ... oleVillage

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

June 9th, 2012
Musqueam First Nation citizens and supporters have won a major battle in their efforts to protect sacred lands.

Following weeks of demonstrations, rallies and blockades, the BC government finally has ordered developers to halt construction on the Marpole Midden site.
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectTheVillageAndMiddenSiteOfMarpoleVillage/photos

The Province has amended permits including the Heritage Investigation Permit, so that "it no longer authorizes any further alteration" of the area and requires that it "be returned as close as possible to its original condition".

Permits were granted last December to a condo developer.

However, in April several intact, largely undisturbed remains and other burial fragments were discovered, that indicated a group of burials unknown when the permits were issued.

While the government's decision is welcomed, the ultimate goal of the Musqueam is to ensure protection of the entire site, from future development.

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June 8, 2012
Archaeology permit for Marpole Midden amended

VANCOUVER - The Province has amended Heritage Investigation Permit
2011-0376 for a private property on the 1300 block of SW Marine
Drive, also known as the Marpole Midden site, under Section 12 (6) of
the Heritage Conservation Act.

The amendment no longer authorizes any further alteration of the
investigation area on Lot 9 and requires that the investigation area
be returned as close as possible to its original condition.

In addition, the expiration of Alteration Permit 2011-0210 has been
extended from June 30 to July 15 to accommodate information-gathering
and further consultation with the parties.

This amendment is the result of a provincial review of the two
permits. Following the discovery on April 29 of several intact,
largely undisturbed remains and other burial fragments that indicated
a group of burials unknown when the permits were issued, the
provincial statutory decision-maker requested that no work take place
near the burial sites. No further work has been done on the site
since.

The provincial statutory decision-maker reviewed the permits from May
8-June 5. Both the permit-holder and the Musqueam Indian Band
participated in the review, and the review was extended twice at the
request of the parties.

A heritage investigation permit allows the permit-holder to recover
any information at archaeological site that could be lost if
development occurs. An alteration permit authorizes the removal of
archaeological material from a site and details the proper care and
handling for any materials found.

These permits pertain only to the archaeological significance of the
site. The City of Vancouver remains responsible for subdivision,
right-of-way and building permit approvals for the development.
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BACKGROUND
https://www.facebook.com/ProtectTheVill ... oleVillage


c̓əsnaʔəm (commonly known as the Eburne Site, Marpole Midden or Great Fraser Midden), located in the heart of Musqueam’s Traditional and unceded Territory, is an ancient village and burial site of the Musqueam people, dating back at least 4,000 years.

In the late 1700s and 1800s, small pox and other diseases arrived on the Northwest Coast and affected our people at c̓əsnaʔəm. Musqeam Elder James Point recalled seeing remains of house posts and “lots of bones” as a boy in the 1880s. He also recounted how the people of c̓əsnaʔəm (and other Musqueam villages) were called by q̓iyəplenəxʷ, a highly respected and renowned warrior and leader, to defend against northern invaders.

In 1884,during the “Garypie Farm Road” upgrading, an extensive shell midden containing ancestral remains and cultural objects was uncovered. H.H Gowan and James Johnson removed ancestral remains and gave them to the Natural History Museum of New Westminster. They were later destroyed in the fire of 1898.

In the 1890s, Harlan I. Smith of the American Museum of Natural History in New York City mined the site for human skeletal remains and cultural objects for the museum’s collections. He noted that “seventy-five [human] skeletons were found in the shell heaps at [Marpole] during about a month’s work.”

In the 1920/30s, local ethnographer Charles Hill-Tout and the local history association (forerunner of the Museum of Vancouver) undertook extensive excavations and was amazed at the antiquity and extent of the site. They retained self-taught “archaeologist” Herman Leisk to remove cultural deposits including human skeletal remains for the museum’s collections. According to his own report, he encountered over 700 human burials. Some were discarded in the trash because of lack of space at the museum. Skeletal remains were also sent to the Royal College of Surgeons in London England (where they were later destroyed in the Blitz) and to other museums in North America. In 1933 the Historical Sites and Monuments Board of Canada declared the site as a Canadian National Historic Site. A cairn was placed in a nearby park, marking “the site of one of the largest prehistoric middens on the Pacific Coast of Canada. It originally covered an area of about 4½ acres, with an average depth of 5 feet and a maximum depth of 15 feet.”

Recent Site Issues
In January, 2011 Musqueam discovered a 108 unit residential condo development was being planned for the site without prior consultation with the Band. In May, 2011 Musqueam met and corresponded with the Provincial Archaeology Branch to persuade them to protect the site and not to issue permits for archaeological “investigation” and “alteration” of the site under the Heritage Conservation Act. Despite Musqueam’s stance, permits were issued under the Heritage Conservation Act in December 2011. In 2012 Musqueam wrote to the provincial and federal governments, to the City of Vancouver, and to the developer in attempts to resolve the matter through agreement and an appeal made to the Premier but no meaningful response was received from the province.

In January 2012, an intact burial was found and in March its immenent removal prompted Band members to protest at the site to halt construction and protect their ancestors. This led to a four week suspension of work on the site (except by agreement, such as the demolition of buildings on the lots proposed for development). Talks during the four week period led to no agreement as the Province failed to participate in any meaningful way. The developer then continued with work and the Band continued to try to bring the Province to the table.

In addition to the uncovering of an intact burial of an adult ancestor in January, continued work on the site has unearthed two partially-uncovered infant burials. The developer has applied for permission to remove these remains. On May 3, 2012, in response to this development, over 100 Musqueam and supporters marched to c̓əsnaʔəmto demonstrate commitment to the appropriate and respectful care of our ancestors and to demand action. Musqueam protestors and supporters continue to maintain a vigil around the clock.

Musqueam’s Chief & Council and Administration have been in discussion with the developer, the City of Vancouver, and the BC Government since March 2012 in attempts to reach a solution. Musqueam has proposed a land swap – at no cost to taxpayers – and the creation of a public heritage park in recognition of Musqueam cultural history. This park would ensure the long-term protection of c̓əsnaʔəm, and provide a space for citizens of Musqueam and Metro Vancouver to proudly welcome visitors through the celebration of our ancient roots. We would like to applaud the City of Vancouver for their ongoing co-operation, and the developer for their continued engagement. The BC Government recently appointed a dedicated facilitator, but will not actively engage in the process. We will continue to work with these parties to come to a resolution, however this will require the participation and co-opertion of the province, but this has not materialized.

[admin]

Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

August 22, 2012 - It's now obvious there is good progress toward resolving a dispute involving the protection of sacred Musqueam lands c??sna??m (the Musqueam village, commonly known as the Marpole Midden, located in and around 1338 SW Marine Drive in Vancouver).

Chief Ernest Campbell, of Musqueam Nation issued a notice confirming that "Musqueam presence at the Marpole site will be scaled back in respect for the on-going negotiations between Musqueam, the Developers, the City of Vancouver and the Province of BC." Chief Campbell on behalf of Musqueam Council, expressed "his sincere thanks and gratitude to the protectors of the burials of Musqueam ancestors at the Musqueam village".

Chief Campbell explained that the Musqueam Nation has continued to work with the BC government, the City of Vancouver and the developers towards an agreement "to protect the site and turn it into a heritage park for all citizens to enjoy".

Chief Campbell emphasized that although demonstrations will be reduced, Musqueam will continue to keep an eye on the site during negotiations.
Chief Campbell finished by stating that, "we appreciate all the support from the surrounding Marpole neighbourhood during this time and we recognize all our supporters, individuals and organizations, who contributed to the recognition and protection of our burials and village site. We truly appreciate all the hard work, time and positive energy of all the organizers and volunteers".

The Marpole Midden, located within Musqueam Traditional Territory has been a known archaeological site for over 100 years and is recognized as a Canadian Heritage Site that contains priceless artifacts and undisturbed intact burials of the Musqueam people.

[admin]

Musqueam First Nation efforts are a Testament and Proof Positive of the Power of the Peoples to Preserve Culture,
and Protect Sacred Lands.

(Scroll down this page to see Musqueam news release below and BC Government news release below)



B.C. government cancels Marpole development protested by Musqueam band
http://www.theprovince.com/technology/g ... story.html


http://www.globaltvbc.com/ancient+musqu ... story.html

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RE: c̓əsnaʔəm (Marpole Midden)

The Musqueam Indian Band is pleased to have received today a decision dated September 27, 2012 made by the Province regarding the permits issued by the Province under the Heritage Conservation Act to permit a 5 story condominium development at c̓əsnaʔəm, also known as the Musqueam Marpole Village Site. As recognized in the decision, this site was declared to be a National Historic Site in 1933 as one of the largest pre-contact middens in Western Canada and it has special significance for Musqueam.

The decision refers to a statement by Musqueam elder and Councillor, Howard Grant, as effectively articulating the immutable position of the Musqueam community with respect to the sacred value of the Site as an ancestral village site. The decision also refers to the opinion of Dr. Miller, professor of Anthropology at U.B.C., that the Site remains one of the most significant archaeological sites in Canada. The recent discovery of further intact ancestral remains was noted in the decision.

In view of the evidence presented by the Band, it was decided that the permits that had been issued in December 2011 should not be extended until December 31, 2013 as requested by the developers. Instead they should be allowed to expire on September 30, 2012 except that one permit should be extended until November 1, 2012 to allow only for the mandatory return of the lots to their original condition including the covering of the intact burials and the reburial of partial remains.

Musqueam is pleased that the proposed development is no longer authorized by the permits issued by the Province and that the ancestral remains are to be restored to their original condition. Their disturbance caused great anguish to the community and the proposed development would have desecrated an ancient and sacred burial place and destroyed a site precious to the Musqueam as representing one of the few links to our heritage extending back thousands of years. It would also have destroyed a Canadian historic site and a heritage site that should be protected for all British Columbians.

Musqueam looks forward to being actively involved in the steps to be taken to restore the ancestral remains in accordance with Musqueam customs and beliefs, steps that must be taken immediately to prevent further deterioration.
Contacts: Councillor Wade Grant – 604-318-8484; wgrant@musqueam.bc.ca
Band Manager – Ken McGregor – 604-317-6078; bandmanager@musqueam.bc.ca
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Final decision made on Marpole Midden permits
September 28, 2012
VANCOUVER - The B.C. government has made a final decision on two permits issued under the Heritage Conservation Act for a private property on the 1300 block of Southwest Marine Drive, also known as the Marpole Midden site.

The Heritage Investigation Permit 2011-1376 is being extended until Nov. 1, 2012, to allow the developer time to meet the requirement to return Lots 4, 5 and 9 to their original conditions before the burial complex was discovered.

In addition, the Site Alteration Permit 2011-0210 will expire as of Sept. 30, 2012. In making his decision to not extend the permit, the statutory decision maker noted that the discovery of the burial complex changed the heritage value of the site, and that site alteration is no longer appropriate based on the current building design.

The decision to allow the permits to expire after weeks of extensions is appropriate, given the lack of progress in the negotiations between the developer and the Musqueam Indian Band around the purchase of the property.

A heritage investigation permit allows the permit-holder to recover any information at an archaeological site that could be lost if development occurs.

An alteration permit authorizes the removal of archaeological material from the site and details the proper care and handling for any materials found.