Heritage & Culture

A. Celebrate Our Heritage

Preserve and celebrate the diverse heritage and historical features of Central Saanich, including the W̱SÁNEĆ cultures that have existed since time immemorial.

B. Continued Commitment to UNDRIP

Affirm the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including that First Nations have suffered historic injustices, and that they have a right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social, and cultural institutions without being subjected to forced assimilation or destruction of their culture.

C. Recognize Historic Structures

Recognize the inherent value of historic buildings and structures and how they contribute to community character and create a unique sense of place.

D. Support Arts and Culture

Promote and encourage the growth of arts and culture in the community, including through public art.

E. Climate Action

Ensure new cultural facilities consider climate action and incorporate climate mitigation and adaptation measures into the site and building design

1. The District supports W̱SÁNEĆ Nations in the revitalization of Indigenous languages and a cultural-based educational system.

2. Collaborate with W̱SÁNEĆ Nations to protect W̱SÁNEĆ cultural heritage through initiatives such as:

• a. Identifying and mapping the locations and nature of culturally significant and ancestral sites, including potential sites for reburial;
• b. Supporting repatriation projects;
• c. Co-developing education materials related to traditional practices; and
• d. Incorporating SENĆOŦEN place names into District maps, signage, street names, and municipal documents.

3. Explore incentives and programs to encourage community organizations, residents, and local businesses to create art, public events, and programming for public spaces. Use the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s “W̱SÁNEĆ Art Protocol” as a guide in the development of a public art protocol.

4. Ensure that the provincial database for archaeological or cultural sites is reviewed prior to issuance of building permits, development approvals, or municipal projects; and that property owners seek guidance from the Province where potential disturbance to sites may occur.

5. Consider requiring on-site cultural monitors during development as a condition of development approval where development sites have significant cultural and/or archaeological potential. 6. Support W̱SÁNEĆ Nations in their efforts to repatriate ceremonial objects, historic artifacts, or human remains.

7. Continue to maintain the Heritage Inventory to identify sites that have heritage designation or have heritage values that should be considered for official heritage designation.

8. Encourage heritage designation on private lands through private initiatives or as part of a development approval.

9. Encourage the conservation of identified heritage buildings through measures such as the use of Heritage Designation or Heritage Revitalization Agreements (HRAs) for redevelopment applications that involve buildings with heritage value and supported by a heritage building assessment.

10. Support the development of a Saanich Peninsula Heritage Strategy that centres Indigenous knowledge and provides greater direction on protecting significant cultural and archaeological sites.

11. Continue to support local community organizations in managing the Saanich Pioneers’ Museum and Heritage Acres and encourage future enhancements to promote information on W̱SÁNEĆ heritage and culture.

12. Continue to support local organizations in the delivery of inclusive and accessible community events.

13. Support integrating a variety of public art forms into existing or proposed developments, such as displayed art pieces, wall murals, unique bike rack designs, creative signage, fencing, or other architectural embellishments. Commercial properties located in the Verdier commercial node are particularly encouraged to incorporate unique artistic features with a seaside theme.

14. Support new cultural facilities in the District and encourage flexibility in the design so new facilities are multipurpose, such as a community theatre, galleries, or entertainment venues, with potential to serve all peninsula residents. 15. Encourage public art in the community and develop a public art policy that:

• a. Outlines the public art proposal and selection process;
• b. Promotes artwork that reflects the local community, history, or natural environment;
• c. Identifies ways the selection process can give preference to W̱SÁNEĆ artists creating art in the W̱SÁNEĆ tradition;
• d. Addresses public celebration and unveiling ceremonies;
• e. Includes plaques or other signage to acknowledge the artist and interpretive signage about the art piece; and
• f. Considers funding options, including periodic refurbishment/ repair in collaboration with the artist.

16. In addition to an overarching public art policy, in collaboration with W̱SÁNEĆ Nations, develop an Indigenous art protocol to:

• a. Ensure the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations are informed of public art opportunities;
• b. Ensure the unveiling ceremony highlights W̱SÁNEĆ practices and traditions and that interpretive signage about the art is included; and
• c. Co-develop interpretive signage throughout the District with information about W̱SÁNEĆ culture, W̱SÁNEĆ history, SENĆOŦEN place names and other relevant topics.

17. Promote public education and involvement in local heritage and history by:

• a. Supporting culturally inclusive recreational programming and teachings that honour and respect W̱SÁNEĆ heritage and knowledge on the Saanich Peninsula;
• b. Supporting the educational opportunities and public events provided by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society and Saanich Pioneers’ Society;
• c. Holding public ceremonies to celebrate the designation of heritage properties and keep the public apprised of and consulted on heritage conservation and restoration projects;
• d. Ensuring public input on Districtlead heritage projects and consider establishing advisory committees for major initiatives;
• e. Demonstrating leadership in heritage awareness through the restoration of the Newman Farm or other historic buildings on municipal property;
• f. Updating and enhancing the Heritage Walk Map and other heritage information brochures; and
• g. Ensuring that public heritage and cultural sites remain accessible to community groups and individuals

18. Undertake a project to update the Heritage Inventory and modernize it to be a web-based, user-friendly document.

19. Develop a public art policy that:

• a. Addresses funding mechanisms;
• b. Outlines an open bid and selection process;
• c. Promotes local W̱SÁNEĆ art; and
• d. Considers long term maintenance, repair, or replacement.

20. Incorporate SENĆOŦEN language into public signs for road names, place names, or directional signage, and provide interpretive signage about W̱SÁNEĆ history and culture throughout the District.