I am the owner of Grace Islet in Ganges Harbour at Saltspring Island. I purchased the property in 1990 because I thought it was a beautiful location. Since then, I have worked through a complex group of governmental regulations in order to receive approval to build my retirement home here.
Throughout this comprehensive process, I have been guided by professional environmental and archeological consultants in my determination to be respectful of First Nations. The provincial Archaeology Branch carried out extensive consultation efforts with First Nations, as recently explained by Lands and Forests Minister Steve Thomson in the Times Colonist. My site-alteration permit from the province includes numerous conditions that respect First Nations concerns.
After 24 years of ownership of this property, some vocal critics claim I am building a home in a known First Nations cemetery. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In the heat of the rhetoric, some key facts have been lost. I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.
With the exception of three bone fragments, two found in 2006 and one found in 2007, nearly a decade ago, there has been no finding at any time of any trace of human remains anywhere on Grace Islet.
Neither of these two findings in 2006 and 2007 is anywhere near the location of my home.
There have been no findings at any time of any trace of human remains anywhere near the location of my home. In stating this, I am taking into account professional archeological studies in 2007 and 2013 and the on-site supervision by a professional archeologist of all ground-altering activities in 2014 for the purpose of building my home.
The footprint of the home is only about 2,300 square feet, or slightly more than seven per cent of the total size of Grace Islet.
In the 2006 finding, two bone fragments were reportedly found by kayakers on the bedrock at water’s edge on the east shore of Grace Islet. Without DNA and bone sample testing, it was not possible to determine their origin. But to be respectful, they were re-interred in 2007 in a traditional ceremony performed by First Nations representatives working with an archeological consultant.
The 2007 finding happened this way. In 2007, an archeological impact assessment on the islet tested soil samples from 60 different shovel-test unit locations and about 30 soil probes. Except for a single bone fragment in one shovel test at the south end of the islet, no trace whatsoever of any human remains was found. As requested by First Nations representatives, the fragment was left in place and the test unit was backfilled during a traditional ceremony. There were no rock features of any kind near the 2007 finding.
Another heated and misunderstood topic has been the rock features on Grace Islet. In 2007, the archeological consultant, working with First Nations representatives, identified 15 rock features on the islet that might have heritage importance. But no determination was made that any of these were burial cairns.
My home has been designed with archeologically approved measures to avoid any damage whatsoever to any of the rock features. There are two rock features that are wholly or partially within the footprint of the home. The foundation walls were specifically designed and constructed to create a crawl space of up to about 1.5 metres high with access under the main floor, and there will be other protective steps, all in accordance with proper archeological practice as approved by the provincial Archaeology Branch.
You might have also read allegations that the home will be on “stilts.” There are no stilts. Stilts were never part of the design of the home.
I am confident that, over time, people of goodwill will see past the rhetoric and consider the facts for themselves.
Barry N. Slawsky owns Grace Islet in Ganges Harbour at Saltspring Island and is building a retirement home there.
