We are excited to share the Report on the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Indigenous Cultural Heritage Forum.
In early March 2020, the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC), supported by the Heritage Branch of B.C., hosted a gathering of 43 Indigenous cultural heritage experts to share experiences and challenges, build networks, and discuss the future of Indigenous Cultural Heritage (ICH) in British Columbia.
These dialogues were intended to be the beginning of a long overdue conversation on how to better understand ICH in B.C, the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples to safeguard their heritage, and ways to improve provincial cultural heritage policies to support Indigenous Peoples’ stewardship of cultural heritage.
Key Forum Objectives:
- Develop a deeper understanding of Indigenous perspectives and expectations
- Establish respectful practices of engagement with Indigenous Peoples on cultural heritage
- Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous cultural heritage practitioners and organizations.
A committee of six Indigenous cultural heritage leaders in B.C. was formed to guide this work and to plan the agenda of this event.This report provides details on who participated, the goals and objectives, challenges and opportunities. A set of 23 recommendation were drawn from the forum participant discussions about steps that B.C. and Canada should undertake to recognize, protect, and ensure the vitality of ICH in B.C.
Key Forum Themes:
- UNDRIP, DRIPA and Reconciliation
- Intangible Indigenous Cultural Heritage
- Indigenous Place-Naming in B.C.
- Indigenous Cultural Heritage Curation
- The Future of Indigenous Cultural Heritage
This event was an inspiring time for Indigenous knowledge keepers and cultural heritage experts to be heard, share their ideas and expertise, and to advocate for an Indigenous-led approach that will strengthen protection and support for Indigenous cultural heritage in B.C. This report is intended to provide a record of the discussions at the Forum and to offer guidance to the Province of B.C. for future development of cultural heritage policies and initiatives.
Forum participants shared some of the following discussion comments:
- Cultural sovereignty (having a cultural centre) is a key issue for Indigenous heritage.
- Cultural heritage means being more in touch with the lifestyle or practices of my ancestors.
- Recognition of rights and the diversity of laws particular to each respective nation is a key issue for Indigenous heritage.
To View the Report
Report on the First Peoples’ Cultural Council Indigenous Heritage Forum
The Heritage Branch of the Province of B.C. provided input and financial support for the Forum as a collaborative project under a Memorandum of Understanding between Heritage Branch and FPCC, which was established to share expertise and knowledge in Indigenous cultural heritage planning, management and conservation in B.C.
Important Links
Learn more about the FPCC Heritage Program
Current Heritage program funding opportunities click here
If you have any questions about the FPCC Heritage program, please contact:
Paulina Csiscai, Indigenous Cultural Heritage Planner
paulina@fpcc.ca | 250-213-6863
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