Interpreting Heritage - Identity, Culture, Environment
Over the past year, we have met with hundreds of people who told us heritage is the layering of stories that describe the uniqueness of a community’s past and present while informing the future.
The stories are found in buildings and artefacts, events and activities, traditions and practices, and people and places. The stories tell us about culture and identity, and place and environment.
This conference weaves together many of these themes and reflects on the values and visions we heard expressed during our travels around the province.
We will focus on the environmental benefits of built heritage conservation and the relationship between natural and built heritage conservation. We will look at the connections between archaeology and heritage, community and culture, and identity and interpretation.
We will look at new directions for building codes and explore new ideas for education. We will profile conservation of industrial heritage and highlight the importance of organizational readiness for reconciliation.
Heritage BC’s 2019 conference promises an exciting exploration of tangible and intangible heritage, from the built environment to cultural landscapes, and an in-depth interpretation of heritage through identity, culture and environment.
Industrial Heritage: from warehouses, factories and breweries to bridges, sawmills, shipyards, and mines
Thursday, May 9, 2019
9:00am to 3:30pm
British Columbia traces much of its colonial history and heritage to the industries of fishing, mining, forestry, farming and transportation, which were impressively supported with an infrastructure of mines, mills, canneries, trains and tracks, and much more.
Although industry has had a significant and lasting influence on BC’s story, priorities, conditions, technologies and economies have changed and many structures are now either abandoned, neglected, or at risk of disappearing altogether.
As the threats increase, it is becoming increasingly important for us to recognize and appreciate the historical, technological, social, architectural and scientific values of industrial culture.
This day-long workshop investigates industrial heritage, connections to the Standards and Guidelines for Conservation of Historic Places, technologies that can be used to capture and assess data, and management and environmental issues. The workshop includes a site visit to the Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park and the concrete head frame/tipple that was the first of its kind in the region and is still standing today as a reminder of a once thriving BC industry.
Workshop leaders include:
Kirstin Clausen, Britannia Mine Museum
Don Luxton, Donald Luxton & Associates
Gord Macdonald, Heritageworks
Christine Meutzner, Manager, Nanaimo Community Archives
Chris Sholberg, Heritage Planner, City of Nanaimo
Monica Valdes Garcia, Arrowsmith Area Supervisor BC Parks
Friends of Morden Mine
5 Core LUs
6.5 CPL Units
Industrial Heritage is sponsored by:
Industrial Heritage is co-sponsored by:
Taking Action: Leading toward Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion through Collaboration, Capacity and Change
As we travelled BC for the Provincial Roundtables on Heritage meetings, we met with over 400 people who told us heritage has the great ability to bring people together, to share stories, to break down barriers, and to build community. We also heard that heritage must acknowledge the past, recognize truth, and seek reconciliation with First Nations and distinct cultures.
From inspiring collaborations with First Nations peoples to reimagined exhibitions telling new stories, our sector has made many strides toward achieving this vision. But many of the organizations that steward BC’s heritage are not representative of the diverse stories and the peoples who contribute to BC’s history and heritage.
Lasting, comprehensive change will not be realized until we examine our sector biases and organizational systems.
Geraldine Manson, Shq’apthut & Health & Human Services, Full-time Elder in Residence at Vancouver Island University
Karen Aird, President of the National Indigenous Heritage Circle, Heritage Manager for the First Peoples’ Cultural Council
Angie Bain, researcher with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs
Vincent Kwan, Executive Director, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Imogene L. Lim, PhD Anthropology, Vancouver Island University
Nav Nagra, Communications & Events Manager, Vantage Point
Jane Watt, Fenton Press and chair of British Columbia Historical Federation
Lucía Woolgar, Leadership Development Coordinator, Let’s Speak Up! - DTES Neighbourhood House
3 Non-core LUs
4.0 CPL Units
Made possible with the support of the Heritage Legacy Fund.
Google This: Practical Advice to Improve your Online Presence
New digital technologies and online platforms are transforming marketing, visitor experience, and the way we work. Understanding the innovations and opportunities present museums and historic sites with exceptional ways to build visitor relationships, drive revenue growth, and improve visibility.
In this tailored workshop, you will explore Google My Business to connect your museum or site with customers through Google Search and Maps. You will receive hands-on help in creating or updating your listing and learn about the many free tools – including an easy to build, no-cost website!
Destination BC will lead you through this practical workshop, providing lots of easy to apply tips and easy to follow steps that will maximize your online potential and visibility and will connect you to visitors from near and far away.
Presented by Destination BC
1.75 Non-core LUs
1.75 CPL Units
Signature Tours
Three Signature Tours will be offered on Thursday, May 9:
Walking interpretive tour of Newcastle Island:
This easy nature walk takes visitors on a cultural tour of the island. Beginning at the Totem Pole near the ferry dock, an experienced Snuneymuxw guide will introduce you to the Snuneymuxw First Nation sacred village sites, traditions and cultural history of Saysutshun. You will hear beautiful stories and practices that have been handed down from generation to generation as you learn about Snuneymuxw medicines and observe historical objects. The tour is approximately 1.5 hours.
1.75 Non-core LUs
1.75 CPL Units
Weaving and Storytelling: a cultural experience:
Saysutshun is rich with stories and teachings that help us remember the past and prepare for the future. We offer exciting and immersive ways to experience the unique culture and history of the Snuneymuxw people.
1.75 Non-core LUs
1.75 CPL Units
Interpretive tour of downtown Nanaimo: Walk through time with the City of Nanaimo’s Heritage Planner and Community Archivist as you discover the heritage and history of Nanaimo through its downtown heritage buildings. Information will also be provided on the City’s Heritage Conservation Program as it relates to Nanaimo’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its downtown. Led by Chris Sholberg, Heritage Planner, City of Nanaimo and Christine Meutzner, Manager, Nanaimo Community Archives.
1.75 Non-core LUs
1.75 CPL Units
The Signature Tours are sponsored by:
What we heard
Friday, May 10
It was exactly one year ago when Heritage BC initiated the Provincial Roundtables on Heritage project. We held 26 meetings that brought together nearly 500 people who told us about the influences, practices, values and visions of heritage in the context of community life.
Participants shared their ideas, aspirations and challenges, as we explored eight themes, including the definition of heritage and its evolving practice, identity and future opportunities, and the opportunities of collaboration and the stewardship of the environment.
The roundtables were always thought-provoking, inspiring, challenging, and sometimes even surprising. We came away from the meetings with a new perspective on heritage and a refreshed appreciation of BC’s heritage workers and their work.
In this morning plenary session, we will explore what we heard, and we will consider the implications. We then sit down with the Heritage Branch, and respond to your questions, as we explore the current state and future potential of our sector.
We guarantee you will leave changed.
Paul Gravett, Executive Director, Heritage BC
Host and Guests
Mark Forsythe, former CBC Radio broadcaster and BC Historical Federation council member
Richard Linzey, Director, Integrated Resources Operations, Heritage Branch (Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)
Geneviève Casault, Manager, Heritage Programs and Services (Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)
3 Core LUs
3.0 CPL Units
The State of Heritage Plenary is sponsored by:
Making Space: Indigenous Partnerships
Collaboration and partnerships have long been buzzwords, but they never fail to inspire greater vision and achievement. Our colleagues around the province have told us that working together is the ideal: bringing people together with values of sharing and listening, and supporting through dialogue and mutual goals. They have also told us these are the important steps to greater understanding and reconciliation. In this workshop, we explore the lessons learned and successes of inspiring collaborations between museums and the local Indigenous communities.
Sophia Maher, General Manager, Nanaimo Museum
STOLȻEȽ, John Elliott, Elder of the Tsartlip First Nation, Chair of First Peoples’ Cultural Council
Jennifer Iredale, Historian/ Curator, Director with Heritage BC
Kamala Todd, Indigenous Arts and Culture Planner and Videographer
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Making Space: Indigenous Partnerships is sponsored by:
Navigating BC Legislation, Acts and Codes
Heritage buildings are affected by multiple pieces of legislation in BC, including the Heritage Conservation Act, Building Act, Local Government Act, Community Charter, and Homeowner Protection Act. This legislation is driven by a diversity of policy objectives, resulting in varying interpretations. The lack of clarity on which existing buildings are deemed “heritage” and the varying policy objectives feeds into a larger issue: the inconsistent application of the BC Building Code (BCBC) to heritage buildings. Dian and Aman will highlight opportunities to address a number of policy objectives, such as preservation of character-defining elements, health and safety, fire and structural protection (seismic resilience), accessibility, and energy and water efficiency, through a coordinated regulatory framework for heritage buildings in BC, thereby facilitating best practices in heritage building rehabilitations. This presentation is based upon the 2018 Heritage Building Regulatory Framework, prepared for BC’s Building and Safety Standards Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, providing clarity on the existing regulatory structure for heritage buildings, with particular emphasis on the Building Act and the 2018 BC Building Code (BCBC). Participants will be given an opportunity to provide direct feedback.
Dian Ross, research consultant
Jim Baker AScT, Senior Codes Administrator, Building and Safety Standards Branch, Office of Housing and Construction Standards, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Navigating BC Legislation, Acts and Codes is co-sponsored by:
Heritage Conservation Areas: Theory and Practice
This workshop contrasts the theory behind a key built heritage management tool, the use of Conservation Areas, with the reality of their implementation. Katie Cummer will outline and illustrate the practice with international examples along with two local case studies: City of Victoria, which is currently introducing a community-led approach to area conservation; and the District of Oak Bay, which is introducing its first conservation area after extensive research, planning and consultation. Tania Muir and guest speakers will reflect on their experiences with Heritage Conservation Areas, addressing and discussing some of the challenges in implementing this important tool.
Katie Cummer, Principal of Cummer Heritage Consulting
Tania Muir, Director of the Cultural Resource Management Program at the University of Victoria
John O'Reilly, Heritage Planner, City of Victoria
Britney Quail, Heritage Planner, City of New Westminster
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Speaking through Stories, Time & Place
Join us at the Nanaimo Art Gallery as our curator and educator team up for an exhibition tour of Across the Table. This will be followed by a hands-on, creative workshop in Art Lab that will ignite your imagination around time, place, and the power of intergenerational storytelling through art. We will explore the Gallery’s 2019 question: what are generations?, with an eye to how we can creatively activate inquiry in our communities. Participation is limited to 18 people.
Yvonne Vander Kooi, Art Education Coordinator, Nanaimo Art Gallery
Jesse Birch, Curator, Nanaimo Art Gallery
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Stitching Together Altered Landscapes
Tangible and intangible heritage landscapes exist on a spectrum. Many of these landscapes have been dramatically altered, and are held together by tenuous threads between the built environments, gathering spaces, reclaimed natural places and stories. This panel explores the spaces between tangible and intangible heritage landscapes and looks at examples of how communities have come together to nurture, and stitch together, spaces that have been dramatically impacted by industry, development and colonialism. And further to this, how they develop authentic relationships with these spaces will endure over time. The topic is explored through the diverse lenses of indigenous cultural planning, architecture, archaeology, and place-making.
Meaghan Cursons, member of the Cumberland Heritage Commission, and Executive Director of the Cumberland Community Forest Society
Karen Aird, President of the National Indigenous Heritage Circle, Heritage Manager for the First Peoples' Cultural Council
Philip Evans, Principal, ERA Architects
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact: Why Should We Care?
If the warnings of climate change had not already been heard, the UN recently issued a “report by the world’s leading climate scientists [as] an ear-splitting wake-up call to the world.”
The heritage community has a huge opportunity and a very large stake in the climate change conversation. We understand values-based interventions and we identify solutions to preserve built heritage in a way that retains usefulness and value. Our approaches to problem-solving and our focus on optimal outcomes offer a natural alliance with environmental protection and a reason to promote the mutual benefits of integrated methods.
With these three complementary workshops, we explore the intersections of heritage conservation and environmental planning, and we investigate design and construction processes to achieve sustainable and sensitive solutions that positively affect our built and natural environments.
The three workshops will be led by Mark Brandt, a registered professional Senior Conservation Architect and Urbanist with over 30 years’ experience and co-author of Building Resilience: Practical Guidelines for the Sustainable Rehabilitation of Buildings in Canada, a companion to the Standards and Guidelines.
While these workshops are designed to be complementary, delegates are not required to attend all three; you may choose to attend one, two, or all three workshops.
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact: Why Should We Care?
In this introduction and call-to-action, Mark Brandt shares his passionately-held belief that natural and cultural conservation is one and the same thing, and he demonstrates the strong commonality between conservation and rehabilitation of built, cultural and environmental heritage. Starting with a broadly-based whole-building ecology, Mark challenges the perception older building are inherently energy inefficient and he explores how interventions can be in line with environmental targets.
Mark will take us into several layers of environmental sustainability: from indigenous beliefs & practices to the “Green Building” sector; from climate change & carbon emissions to the return of traditional materials and passive designs, to help us all in thinking about why we should build & rehabilitate and retrofit sustainably.
Mark Thompson Brandt, OAA, RAIC, CAHP, LEED AP, AIA IA, APT, Senior Conservation Architect & Urbanist, MTBA Associates Inc.
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact is sponsored by:
The Medium is the [Heritage] Message
It's been 55 years since Marshall McLuhan coined his iconic phrase, “The medium is the message” — and it's remarkable to consider how much media and storytelling have been transformed over that time. From traditional print to the web, and social media to creative apps, there are now multiple places to tell your story. Former CBC Radio broadcaster and BC Historical Federation council member Mark Forsythe hosts a panel discussion about how to get the word out in this digital universe. Hear from the noted maritime historian John MacFarlane who created the innovative Nauticapedia web and Facebook pages, and Sean Edmunds and Andrew Farris, partners with On This Spot, an app that blends local history with archival and contemporary photographs to create interactive walking tours. Is there a Francophone history in British Columbia? Charlotte McCarroll and her volunteer team at French language Radio Victoria have created an archive of stories for students around the province that explores this question. Mark will also discuss creating web-based videos with high school students and his “Valley Voices” history podcast.
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Mark Forsythe, former CBC Radio broadcaster and BC Historical Federation council member
Sean Edmunds, On This Spot
Andrew Farris, On This Spot
John MacFarlane, Director of The Nauticapedia Project
How well do you know your place?
Having a sense of place means more than what makes a location special or unique. Names are important: they signify place, stories, history and memory. When we recognize Indigenous place names, we deepen memory and time, contributing to preservation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous histories, languages and cultures. More and more communities are exploring traditional place names to reflect the culture of the original inhabitants of the territory. In Victoria, visitors can now consult wayfinding signage featuring both Lekwungen and English geographic names, and they can relax at the renamed šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, located at the Vancouver Art Gallery. This long-term work is still evolving as a means of representing the coexistence of all the cultures that have built our past and our present history.
Carla Jack, Provincial Toponymist, BC Geographical Names Office, Heritage Branch
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact: How is it Possible?
As co-author of Building Resilience: Practical Guidelines for the Sustainable Rehabilitation of Buildings in Canada, Mark discusses the key principles of the Practical Guidelines and how they can be applied to a wide variety of building types, from homes to large-scale non-residential sites. Offering holistic strategies, Mark offers best practices and scalable solutions that will help us move from theory to practice.
Mark will provide fundamentals on the practice of conserving sustainably, introduce the new free, web-based tool, and help us understand how to easily use it on our heritage conservation projects.
Mark Thompson Brandt, OAA, RAIC, CAHP, LEED AP, AIA IA, APT, Senior Conservation Architect & Urbanist, MTBA Associates Inc.
Richard Linzey, Director, Integrated Resources Operations, Heritage Branch (Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact is sponsored by:
Interpreting Heritage
Commemorative plaques and stops of interest are common forms of marking a moment in history. But, increasingly, we are recognizing that storytelling is not as multi-faceted as our communities. On this walking tour, you will explore markers of history found in the neighbouring downtown and consider alternative approaches and identities.
Imogene L Lim, PhD, Anthropology, Vancouver Island University
Chelsea Forseth, Nanaimo Museum
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
The Role of Archaeology when Interpreting the Heritage Landscape
Archaeological is regarded as a specialized profession of interpreting the cultural materials of a site through analysis. However, can heritage truly be defined through archaeology alone? Are archaeological studies missing something when interpreting the cultural material? Consequently, is heritage resource management missing the positive contributions of archaeology? The purpose of this panel discussion is to ask the question - “What role can archaeology contribute when interpreting the heritage landscape?”
Four key points to be discussed in the panel discussion are:
• What is the definition of archaeology?
• What are the positive contributions and challenges of archaeological studies in heritage resource management?
• How is intangible heritage defined in the archaeological context?
• How has archaeology been incorporated into heritage management approaches
John Somogyi-Csizmazia
Karen Aird, President of the National Indigenous Heritage Circle, Heritage Manager for the First Peoples' Cultural Council
Rick Budhwa, Applied Anthropologist and Principal of Crossroads Cultural Resource Management
Gord Macdonald, Heritageworks
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact: What is the Proof?
In this third workshop on Building Resilience and Environmental Impact, Mark and guest panellists share case studies, demonstrating that, in fact, theory can be put into practice and measurable results are possible and achievable.
The case studies will show us lessons learned, what went right or wrong, and the keys to their overall success, winning heritage awards and community enthusiasm. You will get both the “behind the scenes” views as well as the finished project in its context within the community.
Mark Thompson Brandt, OAA, RAIC, CAHP, LEED AP, AIA IA, APT, Senior Conservation Architect & Urbanist, MTBA Associates Inc.
Philip Evans, OAA, MRAIC, CAHP, Principal, ERA Architects
Christine Lintott, Architect AIBC, AAA, SAA, OAA, FRAIC, LEED AP, Principal, BA, March, MSc, Biomimicry Professional
Donald Luxton, Donald Luxton & Associates
1.25 Core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Building Resilience and Environmental Impact is sponsored by:
Heritage for All
Heritage advocates often do not understand why the broader community doesn't feel compelled to defend the value of heritage and the importance it serves the community. However, there may be some questions that advocates need to ask of their own organizations. Does your heritage organization reflect the diversity of your community? Does it represent a cross-section of ages, backgrounds, gender and orientation? Does the heritage your organization seeks to protect reflect the diversity of cultural and community values of the broader community? In this presentation, Maria and Julia, along with other community panelists will review the perceptions and obstacles to making heritage more inclusive, and give examples of successful models for inclusion to advance the role of heritage as an integral part of community building.
Julia Hulbert, Arts & Culture Planner, Vancouver Park Board
Brian McLoughlin, Master of Community Planning Student, Vancouver Island University
Laura Saimoto, board member, Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall
Maria Stanborough, Principal Consultant, C+S Planning Group
Kamala Todd, Indigenous Arts and Culture Planner and Videographer
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Planning for Cultural Identity: Hearing the Voices of the Community
Revealing the diverse layers of communities can be challenging, especially when the tangible heritage of that community has vanished, and the voices have been silenced. In this session, we will hear from some of those voices from the Island and learn how this information can be uncovered. We will focus on fire insurance maps and, maps and place names, in general, in revealing and acknowledging the cultural identities of our communities.
Imogene L Lim, PhD, Anthropology, Vancouver Island University
Geraldine Manson, Shq'apthut & Health & Human Services, Full-time Elder in Residence at Vancouver Island University
Michael Abe, Project Manager, Landscapes of Injustice
Suki Dhillon, Community Researcher
1.25 Non-core LUs
Future of Heritage: Educating Young People
After meeting over 400 people through the State of Heritage Roundtables, we heard education is one of our biggest challenges. If young people are not introduced to local history and heritage places, what will happen to the stories that have shaped our communities and who we are? Education is the best tool for empowering young people to identify historic significance and values, to steward the environment for future generations, and to integrate cultural worldviews into their lifelong learning. Tackling this challenge, Vancouver Heritage Foundation has been developing a broad-based Heritage Study Guide for Schools. In this working session, VHF introduces their program and asks for your input, examples to learn from, and recommendations.
Judith Mosley, Executive Director, Vancouver Heritage Foundation
Jessica Quan, Special Projects Coordinator, Vancouver Heritage Foundation
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Three Peer Roundtables
As we move toward the end of the conference, we provide an opportunity for you to enjoy the company of your peers, and a chance to discuss new ideas and to share experiences. There is no set agenda, so bring your discussion topics. Attendance is open to all meetings.
Not-for-Profit Organizations Roundtable
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Heritage Commission/Committees and Local Government Roundtable
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units
Heritage Professionals Networking Roundtable
1.25 Non-core LUs
1.25 CPL Units