Following her summit of the Kânîsostîkwâw (Twin Sister Mountains), FPCC’s Heritage Manager, Karen Aird, details the importance of protecting B.C. First Nations cultural places in an article for British Columbia History Magazine.
B.C. Heritage Week – Celebrating First Nations Heritage
From February 19-25th, the First Peoples’ Cultural Council celebrates 2024’s B.C. Heritage Week. B.C. First Nations Heritage is living heritage and FPCC is committed to supporting communities in protecting their heritage, now and into the future. To acknowledge this week we are sharing this story that demonstrates the importance of protecting B.C. First Nations cultural heritage places.
Experiencing Cultural Landscapes
In the Rocky Mountain Foothills in northeastern B.C., near the Peace River, sit the Kânîsostîkwâw (Twin Sister Mountains). This remote and magnificent territory is home to the Dane-zaa, Cree, Saulteau and other Indigenous Peoples, who have practised rich and diverse cultural lives for thousands of years. Prehistorical material residues such as obsidian blades and scrapers have been found throughout Kânîsostîkwâw.
Karen Aird was fortunate to experience the living heritage of the Kânîsostîkwâw firsthand. With permission, we are sharing a summary of her contribution to British Columbia History Magazine.
Oral histories have identified unrecorded locations of pictographs, petroglyphs, ceremonial places, teepee rings and graves, and in recent years, the loss and destruction of this heritage through resource development activities and climate change. Many of the cultural properties and places around Kânîsostîkwâw were not recorded and have received little to no protection through legislation or policy. However, First Nations have always known of their existence and continue to steadfastly steward them for future generations.
“There are many cultural landscapes like Kânîsostîkwâw on Mother Earth or Askiy.
These places are considered so sacred and fragile that their locations, stories and values are not shared in the hope they will remain concealed and untouched.” – Karen Aird
The Kânîsostîkwâw is only one example of cultural places that are important to B.C. First Nations and in urgent need of protection. Important heritage places like this are all over B.C. such as Tse’k’wa, the Kwikwetlem Historical Cemetery, Vancouver Island’s Petroglyph Park and much more.
We thank British Columbia History for highlighting this issue, this important place and providing space to share more about this topic.
Click below to read Kânîsostîkwâw by Karen Aird, British Columbia History magazine.
Protecting Cultural Spaces
The continued disruption of Indigenous heritage places and practices across B.C. is considerable. Through FPCC’s Heritage Program, we are committed to supporting First Nations as stewards of their stories, heritage places and resources.
If you are interested in protecting and revitalizing cultural spaces in your B.C First Nations community, check out the various grants through the FPCC Heritage Program.
Learn More
Find out more about British Columbia History magazine here
View all current Heritage program funding opportunities here
Click here to explore our Heritage stories from past grant recipients
Share Your Story!
Do you have a story about the work your community is doing to revitalize First Nations languages, heritage and arts in B.C.? We want to hear from you! Please send your story to info@fpcc.ca and check back as we post more stories about the good work being done across the province.
We are here to provide support
If you have questions or need any assistance completing your application or using the grant portal, please contact the program staff listed at the bottom of each program page.
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To view all current FPCC funding opportunities please visit our Grants page.
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