χʷɛmaɬkʷu (Homalco) First Nation filed a petition for judicial review with the Supreme Court of British Columbia on July 16 — challenging the B.C. ministry of forests archeology branch on its decision to not enforce compliance with permits granted to an archeological contractor at a Campbell River construction site.
Approximately 1,230- to 1,650-year-old ancestral remains were uncovered during site preparation on South Island Highway in December of 2024.
Due to several failed attempts at communication from the archeology branch, χʷɛmaɬkʷu leaders say they only found out after a post was made about the discovery in a newspaper almost a month after the remains were unearthed.
“Our Guardians were turned away from the site, our phone calls and letters were unanswered,” says Chief Darren Blaney. “The province did not reach out to our referrals department to conduct consultation, which they should under (the Decleration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA).”
DRIPA, according to the province, is aimed at protecting indigenous cultural heritage, including archeological sites such as these.
Χʷɛmaɬkʷu First Nation believes these remains belong to their North Salish ancestors and that they should be cared for according to North Salish customs and protocols.
