Cultural Artifacts and Heritage

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Contents Cultural Artifacts and Heritage	Overview This chapter sets out the return and sharing of Nisga’a artifacts currently held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and at the Royal British Columbia Museum. It also addresses the protection of heritage sites on Nisga’a Lands, the ownership of Nisga’a artifacts discovered in the future, and the treatment of human remains. Will Nisga’a artifacts be returned to the Nisga’a Nation from the two museums? Yes. A portion of the Nisga’a artifacts presently held at the two museums will be returned. It is intended that a facility will be built in the Nass Valley for these artifacts. The transfer of the artifacts is expected to take place within five years after the effective date of the Treaty. Are the Nisga’a artifacts remaining with the two museums addressed in the Treaty? Yes. Separate agreements will be negotiated that govern the care, maintenance and preservation of the Nisga’a artifacts remaining with the two museums. These “custodial agreements” are expected to be in place by the effective date of the Treaty. What happens if there is a dispute about whether an artifact is a Nisga’a artifact? If the artifact has been returned to the Nisga’a Nation under the Treaty, or if it is in the permanent collection of either of the museums, the dispute can be settled by arbitration under the Dispute Resolution Chapter. Will there be a way to protect Heritage Sites on Nisga’a Lands? Yes. Nisga’a Government will develop processes to preserve Heritage Sites on Nisga’a Lands from proposed land and resource activities. British Columbia will develop or continue processes for similar purposes. Until Nisga’a Government does so, British Columbia's processes for heritage site preservation will apply on Nisga’a Lands. Who owns Nisga’a artifacts discovered on Nisga’a Lands or Category A Lands in the future? The Nisga’a Nation, unless another person establishes ownership. What will happen to Nisga’a human remains found in Heritage Sites? Subject to federal and provincial laws, they will be returned to the Nisga’a Nation.

Contents

Cultural
Artifacts and
Heritage

Overview

This chapter sets out the return and sharing of Nisga’a artifacts currently held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and at the Royal British Columbia Museum. It also addresses the protection of heritage sites on Nisga’a Lands, the ownership of Nisga’a artifacts discovered in the future, and the treatment of human remains.

Will Nisga’a artifacts be returned to the Nisga’a Nation from the two museums?

Yes. A portion of the Nisga’a artifacts presently held at the two museums will be returned. It is intended that a facility will be built in the Nass Valley for these artifacts. The transfer of the artifacts is expected to take place within five years after the effective date of the Treaty.

Are the Nisga’a artifacts remaining with the two museums addressed in the Treaty?

Yes. Separate agreements will be negotiated that govern the care, maintenance and preservation of the Nisga’a artifacts remaining with the two museums. These “custodial agreements” are expected to be in place by the effective date of the Treaty.

What happens if there is a dispute about whether an artifact is a Nisga’a artifact?

If the artifact has been returned to the Nisga’a Nation under the Treaty, or if it is in the permanent collection of either of the museums, the dispute can be settled by arbitration under the Dispute Resolution Chapter.

Will there be a way to protect Heritage Sites on Nisga’a Lands?

Yes. Nisga’a Government will develop processes to preserve Heritage Sites on Nisga’a Lands from proposed land and resource activities. British Columbia will develop or continue processes for similar purposes. Until Nisga’a Government does so, British Columbia's processes for heritage site preservation will apply on Nisga’a Lands.

Who owns Nisga’a artifacts discovered on Nisga’a Lands or Category A Lands in the future?

The Nisga’a Nation, unless another person establishes ownership.

What will happen to Nisga’a human remains found in Heritage Sites?

Subject to federal and provincial laws, they will be returned to the Nisga’a Nation.