The Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) held a forum on North Coast Salish Culture and Heritage Aug. 27, giving archaeologists, anthropologists and First Nations representatives a chance to talk shop and share ideas.
The informal gathering last Saturday consisted of presentations by those having conducted archaeological studies on Band land, opening the door to dialogue and questions pertaining to findings and research.
Peter Merchant, an archaeologist working with the Sechelt Nation, said a collection of cross-cultural information would be shared.
"The objective here is to discuss ideas, know what other communities are doing so we can share resources, and also see how the academic community is working and how that relationship goes," said Merchant.
Additional talk was shared on the relationship between scholars and Coast Salish territories, including science and culture studies.
"The collaborative relationship today between First Nations and scholars has changed a lot," he said. "You have the cultural aspect of the research, which is how the Band interprets and observes these remains, which aren't scientific remains, but are the remains of family heirlooms and homes. We have to reconcile it with the scientific investigation, and bring those two together. That's what the collaboration process is about and what this is about today as well."
Band member Robert Joe echoed Merchant's emphasis on the forum's group collaboration piece.
"Collaboration is so important because the experts have extensive experience, and without that experience, who are we, and what are we? With them bringing their experience to the table, with 10, 20, even some 30 years experience, it's helpful to them and for us," Joe said. "As we go along, the remains that are brought up, we're learning about our history. We're learning about how they lived, where they lived, their diets it's all fantastic for us."
