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Heritage BC
Donate Membership Newsletter
  • About

    About

    • What We Do
    • Heritage Update
    • Plans and Reports
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Sponsors
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
  • Events & Activities

    Events & Activities

    • Conference Archive
    • BC Heritage Awards
    • Heritage Week
    • Canada Historic Places Day
    • Dates to Know
  • Learning Centre

    Learning Centre

    • A Guide to Making a Case for Heritage
    • Heritage Conservation Tools: Resource Guides
    • Upcoming Webinars: Winter 2021
    • Webinars On-Demand
    • Heritage BC Workshops
    • Other Heritage Education Programs
  • Cultural Maps

    Cultural Maps

    • Submerged Heritage Resources
    • Columbia Basin Region Heritage Places
    • Francophone Historic Places Map
    • Chinese Canadian Historic Places Map
    • Japanese Canadian Historic Places
    • South Asian Canadian Map
    • War Monuments and Memorials Map
  • Resources

    Resources

    • Accessibility for Historic Places
    • Conservation in BC Reports
    • Definitions and Heritage FAQs
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Heritage Real Estate
    • State of Heritage: Provincial Roundtables
    • Indigenous Cultural Heritage
    • Local Government: Library of Source Documents
    • Racism: Do Not Let the Forgetting Prevail
    • Taking Action: diversity and inclusion
    • Heritage Quick Studies
    • Other Tools, Publications, Guides
  • Heritage Legacy Fund

    Heritage Legacy Fund

    • Who Benefits?
    • Past Grant Recipients
  • News
  • Contact
  • Accessibility for Historic Places
  • Conservation in BC Reports
  • Definitions and Heritage FAQs
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Heritage Real Estate
  • State of Heritage: Provincial Roundtables
  • Indigenous Cultural Heritage
  • Local Government: Library of Source Documents
  • Racism: Do Not Let the Forgetting Prevail
  • Taking Action: diversity and inclusion
  • Heritage Quick Studies
  • Other Tools, Publications, Guides
    • Advocacy
    • Funding Resources
    • Heritage Tourism
    • Insuring Heritage Properties
    • Building Resilience and Sustainability
    • Heritage Legislation in BC
    • Organizational Capacity Building
    • Organizations to Know
    • Professional Organizations
    • Mapping Heritage
  • Resources

Indigenous Cultural Heritage

“Indigenous Peoples understand and describe “heritage” according to their own perspectives, traditions and languages. A general definition for Indigenous heritage would include ideas, experiences, worldviews, objects, forms of expressions, practices, knowledge, spirituality, kinship ties and places valued by Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous heritage is intrinsic to Indigenous well-being and held for all generations.”

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission marked a critical moment in Canadian history with the release of the 94 Calls to Action. These prompt each one of us to act and to reframe the familiar and comfortable contexts of our work as heritage professionals. It is now time to move the conversation forward as we explore authentic, sustainable pathways that will lead to new relationships and common goals and objectives.

Heritage BC is committed to heritage in all its forms. We recognize there is much to learn from each other, as we start to more fully appreciate the diversity of experiences and the multiplicity of perspectives that form the richness of Canada’s heritage.

The word “heritage” has no parallels in Indigenous languages, but the closest meaning is something that would be a translation of the expression “what we know”.

Based on discussions at IHC roundtables, the IHC describes Indigenous cultural heritage as ideas, objects, artistic expressions, practices, languages, knowledge and places that are valued because they are culturally necessary and meaningful, connected to shared memory, or linked to collective identity. Indigenous cultural heritage is not separate from Indigenous identity and life. It is inherited from ancestors as a gift to the next generations. It is the medicine we carry with us.

Each Indigenous Nation speaks for cultural heritage that is unique to them.

(The quote is prepared by Karen Aird, Indigenous Heritage Circle)

Reconciliation

“Collective efforts from all peoples are necessary to revitalize the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and Canadian society – reconciliation is the goal. It is a goal that will take the commitment of multiple generations but, when it is achieved, when we have reconciliation – it will make for a better, stronger Canada.” (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada)

Reconciliation is about taking an honest and open-minded view of our history in BC to work towards inclusion and equality for all, and to establish respectful relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Reconciliation involves a humble recognition of the impacts of the colonial past, and the deep history and relationships that Indigenous people have on their lands. With that awareness and a spirit of cooperation, reconciliation offers the opportunity to change behaviour and bring healing.

Reconciliation is acknowledging, learning, listening and acting. It is doing the work required to bring equality and restitution.

Heritage BC recognizes reconciliation will not be achieved through a single process, but through an ongoing commitment to make things better through a range of actions that are carefully developed according to the needs and circumstances of each situation. Heritage BC believes we have a significant role to play in reconciliation: we aspire to create new partnerships to tell new, more inclusive stories.

Three Reconciliation Resources

Green and black frog in Indigenous West Coast style. Taking Reconcili-Action: a website, teacher’s guide, and resource guide to help classes create powerful reconciliation projects that will establish meaningful connections with members of the Indigenous community.

Recognizing and Including Indigenous Cultural Heritage in B.C. Policy Paper

Recognizing and Including Indigenous Cultural Heritage in B.C. Fact Sheet

Best Practices for Indigenous Engagement.

15-Point Guide: Standards of Achievement for the Relationship between Indigenous Peoples & Cultural Institutions in Canada

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)

According to the UN, UNDRIP is “…is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of indigenous peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the indigenous peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of indigenous peoples.” Cultural and intangible heritage is a key part of this framework, and the heritage sector working towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is an important part of the implementation of UNDRIP.

The Government of British Columbia has committed to adopting and implementing UNDRIP. More information on BC’s principles and policies can be found here.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for Indigenous Adolescents

This document contains an ‘in brief’ overview of the UNDRIP. Download here.

Frequently Asked Questions Declaration on The Rights of Indigenous Peoples

This is a helpful document prepared by the Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum of Indigenous Issues. Download here.

Indigenous Languages Component — Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program

» Visit Site

Indigenous Tourism BC

» Visit Site

BC Treaty Commission

» Visit Site

First Peoples’ Cultural Council

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council is a provincial Crown Corporation formed by the government of British Columbia in 1990 to administer the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Program.

» Visit Site

Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

» Indigenous Arts, Cultural and Heritage

Indigenous Heritage Circle

The Indigenous Heritage Circle (IHC) was founded in 2016 as an Indigenous-designed and Indigenous-led organization dedicated to the advancement of cultural heritage matters of importance to Métis, Inuit and First Nations.

» Visit Site

Indigenous Partnership Program- Heritage Legacy Fund

» Visit Site

Indigenous Peoples and Cultures

» Visit Site

Library and Archives Canada: Indigenous Heritage

» Visit Site

Parks Canada Agency: Indigenous Affairs Branch

» Visit Site

Reconciliation Canada

Reconciliation Canada is leading the way in engaging Canadians in dialogue and transformative experiences that revitalize the relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians.

» Visit Site

» Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action

Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

» Visit Site

Documents and Toolkits

  • Best Practices for Indigenous Engagement
  • Building Relationships with First Nations (Union of BC Municipalities publication)
  • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (UNESCO)
  • First Nations Language Map (Museum of Anthropology)
  • First Nations map (Museum of Anthropology)
  • Heritage Toolkit (First Peoples’ Cultural Council)
  • Management of Culturally Sensitive Materials (Museum of Anthropology)
  • World Heritage and Indigenous Peoples (UNESCO)
  • Pronunciation Guide to First Nations of BC
  • Indigenous Peoples: Language Guidelines (UBC)
  • First Nations Heritage Conservation Action Plan
  • Report on Indigenous Gatherings on Cultural Heritage (2019)

Resources – Policies and Planning Documents

Indigenous Living Heritage Canada

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act 2019-2020 Annual Report, Province of BC

Lower Nicola Indian Band Cultural Heritage Policy

Guide to Heritage Stewardship for Yukon First Nation Governments

Resources to help you acknowledge the past, recognize truth and seek reconciliation

23 Tips On What Not To Say Or Do When Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples

27 Tips On What To Say And Do When Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples

A Fresh Look At Diversity Ad Boards

Ayisinowak – A Communications Guide

Indigenous Ally Toolkit

Statement Of Guiding Principles For Presenting Indigenous Work

Words Matter

Visit our extensive list of webinars on-demand
Virtual Event Resources Toolkit - 7 new resources
Download Heritage Week 2021 Poster

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As an organization of provincial scope, Heritage BC recognizes that its members, and the local history and heritage they seek to preserve, occupy the lands and territories of B.C.’s Indigenous peoples. Heritage BC asks its members to reflect on the places where they reside and work, and to respect the diversity of cultures and experiences that form the richness of our provincial heritage.