Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
Archaeology Branch Indigenous liaison case files
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- cartographic material
- textual record
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- Source of title proper: Title based on contents of series.
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Statement of scale (cartographic)
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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
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1975-2019 (Creation)
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Physical description
2 m of textual records and maps
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Heritage Conservation Branch, now called the Heritage Branch, is responsible for the planning, development and management of heritage resources in British Columbia. Heritage resources include archaeological, historic, architectural and palaeontological sites.
Prior to 1977 responsibilities for heritage resources were divided between the Ministry of Provincial Secretary and the Ministry of Recreation and Conservation. The Ministry of Provincial Secretary administered the Archaeological and Historical Sites Protection Act and provided support services for the Archaeological Sites Advisory Board (ASAB). The Ministry of Recreation and Conservation, through its Historic Parks and Sites Division, Parks Branch, administered the planning and development of historic sites.
Established in 1977, the branch was initially under the Ministry of Recreation and Conservation, and then transferred in December 1978 to the newly reorganized Ministry of the Provincial Secretary and Government Services. Prior to June 1983, the branch also provided support services to the Provincial Heritage Advisory Board.
The Heritage Conservation Branch has fallen under government ministries, as follows:
Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture, 1988-07-06 to 1991-11-04;
Ministry of Tourism, 1991-11-05 to 1993-09-14;
Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture, 1993-09-15 to 2001-06-04;
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, 2001-06-05 to 2005-06-15;
Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, 2005-06-16 to 2008-06-22;
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, 2008-06-23 to 2010-10-24;
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, 2010-10-25 to 2017-07-17;
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, 2017-07-18 to present (2021).
The Heritage Conservation Branch was renamed “Heritage Branch” effective 1995-08-01 and continues to operate under that name.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Functions related to archaeology were part of the Heritage Conservation Branch until approximately 1988. At this time archaeology moved to the newly created Archaeology and Outdoor Recreation Branch. The branch was still part of the part of Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture. In 1991 the Branch was renamed or divided to become the Archaeology Branch.
Name of creator
Biographical history
In approximately 1991, the Archaeology and Outdoor Recreation Branch was split or renamed to become the Archaeology Branch. It was initially part of Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Recreation and Culture. The Branch has moved around to be part of multiple other Ministries over the year, including:
1995 - 2001 Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture
2001 - 2005 Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management
2005 - 2008 Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts
2008 - 2010 Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
2010 - 2017 Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations
2017 onwards, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
Custodial history
Scope and content
This series consists of Indigenous or Aboriginal relations case files created by the Archeology Branch and its predecessors from 1975-2019. The records relate to fostering and maintaining relationships with First Nations bands, tribal councils and treaty groups in order to facilitate the delivery of provincial archaeological services. This includes participation in the treaty process or interim measures agreements (IMAs) when archaeological sites may be involved and advice for groups participating in treaty or interim measures negotiations. Interim measures agreements provide for the protection, management or use of land and resources before treaties are concluded. Records address a variety of issues, requests or inquiries and provide evidence of the interaction between the government and First Nations on archaeological issues. Most records regard consultation related to attaining approval for archaeological permits.
Each file relates to a particular group and can include information on multiple archaeological sites. The series includes files for almost every Nation, Band, or Tribal Council in BC, as well as several other community organizations working on their behalf. If an Indigenous group changes its name, the file titles were updated with the new name in order to maintain the continuity of the records. Most names are correct up to 2019 when the files were closed.
Record types include correspondence, memoranda, maps, cultural studies, reports and records related to treaties.
Files are arranged alphabetically by name of the Nation or other group. File dates are approximate. Many files contain records with earlier dates and very few files contain records up to 2019. 2019 was the year all files were closed.
Classified as 11050-20 in the Archaeology Operational Records Classification System (ORCS). Some files were reviewed as part of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government v. Her Majesty the Queen et al.
Notes area
Physical condition
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Transferred from the Archaeology Branch in 2020.
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Restrictions on access
These records are restricted. Please contact the BC Archives for information regarding access.
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General note
Accession number(s): 97-4397