Culturally modified tree (CMT) management in Nlaka’pamux territory : shaping First Nations participation through consultation ...

• Main Author: Perreault, Pamela A.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2009
• Subjects: First Nations
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0075378; https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0075378

First Nations people have collected life-sustaining materials provided by the forests of British Columbia since time immemorial. In particular, evidence of collection activities from cedar ()is found in the form of culturally modified trees (CMTs). Today, CMTs are considered archaeological resources because of their value as visible indicators of past forest use. Therefore, under provincial legislation (British Columbia Heritage Conservation Act, and the Forest Practices Code Act), they are managed during forest development planning. The value of CMTs extends beyond their contribution to the archaeological record, however, to include: a) legal evidence of Aboriginal rights and title and b) symbols of cultural practices centered around the respect for, and understanding of, people's relationship with nature. This thesis uses a case study to assess the consultation process and CMT management procedures utilized by the Ministry of Forests to identify Aboriginal interests on landscape and avoid unjustifiable ...