Getting Started — Key Organizations in BC

• British Columbia Association of Professional Archaeologists (BCAPA) — professional body for archaeologists in BC.

• BC Archaeology Branch — regulatory authority overseeing archaeological site protection.

• Heritage BC — provincial nonprofit supporting heritage conservation and community projects.

• First Peoples Cultural Council — Crown corporation mandated to assist BC First Nations in revitalizing their languages, arts, cultures, and heritage.
  

Indigenous Leadership in Heritage

Heritage stewardship in BC is being redefined through Indigenous-led leadership, programs, and organizations. The following links offer starting points for learning from these approaches.

• K’ómoks First Nation — Indigenous cultural heritage policies as a pathway for Indigenous sovereignty and the role of local governments: an example with K'ómoks First Nation, British Columbia

Practical Tools for Project Planning

• Archaeology Branch of BC

  • Low impact construction recommendations

  • Archaeology in BC: A Guide for Property Owners and Realtors

• BC Energy Regulator — Heritage Conservation Program Guidelines

• Native Land Digital — Interactive Territory Map
  Online map of Indigenous territories, languages, and treaties, with detailed BC coverage. Supports early, respectful engagement with Nations.

Legislation & Policy Frameworks

• Heritage Conservation Act as well as the Heritage Conservation Act Transformation Project

• First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Act

• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

• Parks Canada Indigenous Stewardship Policy

Archaeology Associations & Networks

• Archaeological Society of British Columbia (ASBC) — A public-facing society with local chapters across BC, supporting education, lectures, and site stewardship.

• Underwater Archaeological Society of BC (UASBC) — Focused on documenting, protecting, and promoting BC’s submerged heritage.

• Canadian Archaeological Association (CAA) — National professional association advancing archaeological research and practice in Canada.

• Society for American Archaeology (SAA) — International association connecting archaeologists across the Americas and beyond.

• World Archaeological Congress (WAC) — Global forum emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous participation in archaeology.

Articles & Further Reading

• Schaepe, Nicholas & Dolata (2020). Recommendations for Decolonizing BC’s Heritage-Related Processes and Legislation
  Prepared for the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, this report offers practical recommendations for reconciliation-informed policy reform.

• FPCC (2020). First Peoples’ Cultural Heritage Recommendations Report
  Outcome of dialogues about improving recognition and stewardship of Indigenous cultural heritage in BC.

• ICOMOS (2020). Heritage and Climate Change: The Future of Our Past.
  Global perspectives on how climate change is reshaping cultural heritage, with practical recommendations for stewardship.

• Tŝilhqot’in National Government & Environmental Law Centre (2023). Protecting Indigenous Cultural Heritage Resources on Private Land.
  This guide outlines legal tools and strategies Indigenous Nations are using—or could use—to protect cultural heritage resources on private land. It includes case-based examples, Indigenous-led permitting systems, Indigenous Protected Areas, land covenants, and recommendations for government support.

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015). Calls to Action.
  Framework for reconciliation in Canada, with specific calls related to heritage, education, and cultural revitalization.

• United Nations (2007). United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
  The global standard affirming the rights of Indigenous Peoples, foundational for heritage and policy practice.

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This page is not exhaustive, and links are provided for educational purposes only. If you’d like tailored guidance on applying these frameworks in your organization or community, please connect with me.