Small piece of land located in Grange Harbour at Salt Spring Island causing big headaches

A small piece of land located in the Grange Harbour at Salt Spring Island is causing big headaches  to the developers of Grace Islet. First Nations want it protected because it is a burial place, but the private property owner has begun constructing a home there. “First Nations heritage sites, burial site and sacred sites continue to be desecrated and destroyed,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “The BC Heritage Conservation Act is fundamentally flawed and simply does not protect our most importan, valued and sacred—our ancestors’ remains.” The Capital Regional District was asked to turn Grace Islet into protected parkland, but they have refused, said Phillip. “If this was a non-First Nation gravesite, protection would be afforded to it,” he said. Phillip said it’s time for the province to step up to ensure First Nations heritage and burial sites are afforded the conservation and protection they deserve.