NationTalk: W̱JOȽEȽP, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF W̱SÁNEĆ NATION / BRENTWOOD BAY B.C. – The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) will deliver more than $5.4 million this year to support 16 projects that conserve, repair and develop First Nations heritage infrastructure in B.C. The projects are made possible with funding from the Province of British Columbia’s 150 Time Immemorial Grant Program to the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF).
“This funding is vital to ensure Indigenous heritage in B.C. is protected for future generations,” said Karen Aird, FPCC Heritage Program Manager. “This investment enables First Nations communities to lead work to safeguard their cultural spaces and heritage collections, and demonstrates the urgent need for long term, sustainable funding to protect First Nations heritage.”
FPCC received 63 submissions in response to this funding opportunity and was able to fund 25% of applicants. Funding is awarded by an external peer review process comprised of First Nations experts in First Nations heritage. The funds are managed by the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF) and FPCC administers the grants and provides ongoing support to recipients for project management, work plans and knowledge transfer.
The projects are part of the FPCC Heritage Infrastructure Program supporting First Nations communities in their work to safeguard and celebrate their heritage. Projects receive two-year funding to conserve structures, culture and heritage sites, landscapes and buildings to be completed by February 2024. The project proposals reveal the ways that heritage and culture are intertwined in every part of Indigenous life and speak to the significance of how these spaces are used and shared.
“The B.C. Government is committed to working with Indigenous Peoples on a path towards lasting reconciliation,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “Supporting projects that contribute to First Nations communities as they work to secure their cultural and other significant spaces, is one way the Province is contributing to that much broader and critical goal.”
Funded projects range from new initiatives, to upgrades and improvements to existing spaces. Examples of current projects include museum construction, cemetery restoration and trail upgrades to access important cultural areas.
“The 150 Time Immemorial funding from the Province of British Columbia is a positive step forward in the continued journey of reconciliation,” says Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams, Board Chair of First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation. “Long-term support remains key in revitalizing Indigenous heritage and maintaining knowledge on the land by creating spaces that continue to connect younger generations with the past, present and future.”
For more information and the full list of 2021-24 HIP recipients see the Media Backgrounder included below with this release.
Recipient Quotes:
George Chaffee, Councilor of kʷikʷəƛəm First Nation (Kwikwetlem):
“The Kwikwetlem Historical Cemetery Revitalization Project is about healing and putting those who are buried there properly to rest. It is very disrespectful that so many of the gravesites and markers have been lost due to repeated and consistent flooding in the area for decades. The funding provided by the First Peoples’ Cultural Council and First Nation Land Management Resources Centre is crucial in our long-term work to create a safer, sacred historical cemetery that allows us to protect, honor and show respect to those who are buried there. I am very proud to be leading this project and to be giving a voice to our Elders and Ancestors so that their lives are remembered not only for today, but for generations to come.”
Evelyn Edgar, Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority, Klemtu:
“The museum project has opened a door for us to repatriate artifacts from various museums and has given us the ability to showcase who we are as a people and educate ourselves and our community on our history. It is a treasure box of who we are as a people that we can actually hold in our hands.”
Boyd Peters, Xwilexmet Director, Sts’ailes:
“We are both relieved and excited to build a heritage facility at our ancestral settlement of Poxwia on the Harrison River. The structure will protect the incredible archaeological history in this place and enable us to continue learning more about it. The space will also allow us to share this history and knowledge with others, creating greater understanding and appreciation for our heritage.”
Learn More:
FPCC Heritage Program: fpcc.ca/heritage
The First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation: fpcf.ca
Images for media click here.
Media Contacts:
Mandy Leith
Communications Officer
First Peoples’ Cultural Council
250 818-3310
media@fpcc.ca
Shawn Larabee
Ministry of Municipal Affairs
250 514-0510
Media requests for HIP recipients should be directed to Mandy Leith.
MEDIA BACKGROUNDER
November 14, 2022
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council delivers $5.4 million for First Nations heritage infrastructure.
In July 2021, the B.C. Ministry of Municipal Affairs announced $30 million for projects which advance reconciliation and learning to promote a diverse and inclusive society. The 150 Time Immemorial Grant Program is a partnership between the Province, the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation (FPCF) and Heritage BC. The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) administered the grants and provides ongoing support to recipients.
BC 150 Time Immemorial Grant Program:
- $7.5 million was provided to FPCF for grants and program administration of which $6.4 million was delivered by FPCC to communities across three programs: Heritage Infrastructure Program, Cultural Heritage Stewardship and Sense of Place programs.
- $10 million was provided to Heritage BC
- $2.5 million was provided to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations for non-profit organizations operating heritage sites on Crown lands
- FPCF and Heritage BC each received an additional $5 million endowment to support future programs.
Heritage Infrastructure Program: The FPCC Heritage Infrastructure Program provides funding for projects that conserve, repair or develop Indigenous heritage infrastructure. The goal of this program is to assist First Nations communities in B.C. to safeguard, revitalize and celebrate their heritage through heritage infrastructure projects. The project term is from March 2022 to February 2024.
Projects include the conservation of structures, heritage sites, landscapes, buildings and trails that support public and community access to heritage resources. They also include historical and cultural places, archives and heritage collections that are of collective value to an Indigenous community. Applicants were able to apply for grants from both FPCC and Heritage BC, provided the applications were for different activities or separate parts of a larger project. Recipients include First Nations communities and organizations, including First Nations-led not-for-profit groups, museums and cultural spaces.
About the First Peoples’ Cultural Council: FPCC is a First Nations-governed Crown corporation with a mandate to support the revitalization of First Nations languages, arts, cultures and heritage in British Columbia. The organization provides funding, resources and skills development, monitors the status of First Nations languages, develops policy recommendations for First Nations leadership and government and collaborates with organizations on numerous special projects that raise the profile of arts, languages, cultures and heritage in B.C., Canada and internationally.
About the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation: FPCF was established in 2000 to support the vitality of Indigenous languages, arts and cultural heritage in B.C. A registered charity that provides grant funding to Indigenous organizations and communities and works closely with FPCC.
2021-2024 Heritage Infrastructure Program Recipients supported by BC150 Time Immemorial funding.
Media inquiries about grant recipients should be directed to Mandy Leith.
| Name | Location | Region | Project Description | Amount |
| Bonaparte First Nation | Cache Creek | Thompson-Okanagan | McAbee Fossil Beds Site Interpretive & Research Centre Design and Water, Septic, Utilities Works | $400,000 |
| Fort Nelson First Nation | Fort Nelson | Northeast | Drum Arbor & Moose Camp Upgrades | $324,040 |
| Gitga’at First Nation | Hartley Bay | North Coast | Construct the Gitga’at Museum, at the Gitga’at Marine Emergency Rescue and Research Facility | $387,640 |
| Kitasoo Xai’xais Stewardship Authority | Klemtu | North Coast | Klemtu Museum and Archives Upgrades | $153,795 |
| Kwikwetlem First Nation | Coquitlam | Lower Mainland – Southwest | Support Flood Prevention Measures and Site Improvements to the Kwikwetlem Historical Cemetery | $387,040 |
| Leq’a:mel First Nation | Deroche | Lower Mainland – Southwest | Leq’a:mel Cemeteries Restoration & Reclamation Project | $194,290 |
| Saulteau First Nations | Chetwynd | Northeast | Saulteau First Nations Cemetery Upgrade & Beautification Project | $154,790 |
| Seabird Island Band | Agassiz | Lower Mainland – Southwest | Seabird Island’s Cemetery Infrastructure Project Shxwoxwelstexw ye Silelyólexw (Honour our elders of generations) | $400,000 |
| Snuneymuxw First Nation | Nanaimo | Vancouver Island – Coast | Long House Expansion | $395,000 |
| Stqeeye’ Learning Society | Salt Spring Island | Vancouver Island – Coast | Shtataxus Learning Centre Infrastructure Project | $400,000 |
| Sts’ailes | Agassiz | Lower Mainland – Southwest | Q’iq’ewetó:lthel Heritage Facility: Protection for the remains ancestral Sts’ailes-Coast Salish plank houses | $397,775 |
| Stz’uminus Education Society | Ladysmith | Vancouver Island – Coast | Stl’ul’iqulh Q’ulets’ Thuthiqut Shelh: Transportation and land-based learning trail | $392,090 |
| Takla Nation | Prince George | Cariboo | Takla Cultural Restoration Infrastructure Initiative | $327,040 |
| Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations | Tofino | Vancouver Island – Coast | Renovation and upgrade of the Mears Island Cultural Centre and the Mears Island Cultural Path | $400,000 |
| Tl’azt’en Nation | Fort St. James | Nechako | ‘Utsoo’s Yoh, meaning Grandma’s House: Infrastructure dedicated to multi-generational teaching and learning | $400,000 |
| Tsleil-Waututh Nation | North Vancouver | Lower Mainland – Southwest | Tsleil-Waututh Nation Mortuary House Infrastructure | $326,500 |
FPCC Indigenous Heritage Resources:
About Our Heritage Program
Heritage Infrastructure Program
FPCC – 150 Time Immemorial News Release
FPCF – Indigenous Heritage Endowment News Release
Heritage BC – 150 Time Immemorial Program
FPCC Heritage Resources: fpcc.ca/resource/area/heritage
Media contact to connect with grant recipients:
Mandy Leith
Communications Officer
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council
250 818-3310
media@fpcc.ca