Last Chance to Endorse the Declaration on the Safeguarding of Indigenous Ancestral Burial Grounds

Published: 
Nov 24, 2015

December 10th marks the one-year anniversary of the IPinCH Declaration on the Safeguarding of Indigenous Ancestral Burial Grounds as Sacred Sites and Cultural Landscapes

The Declaration has been endorsed by scholars, professionals and students from many disciplines across North America, Greece, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, and South Africa. A number of organizations, including the American Anthropological Association, the Society for American Archaeology, the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, have also endorsed the Declaration.  

If you would like to add your name, or the name of your organization, to the endorsements list, please do so before Dec 10th 2015. After this date, endorsements will no longer be accepted. 

We believe the Declaration is an important tool of education and intervention, and additional endorsements will strengthen its presence. This is important because no details have yet been released about the Minister's promised review of the Heritage Conservation Act, which he announced last February. In the meantime, heritage sites remain at risk. 

How To Endorse the Declaration
Any individual who is concerned over the fate of indigenous ancestral burial grounds in British Columbia, Canada, is welcome to endorse the Declaration. Those who have the authority to represent an organization are welcome to endorse the Declaration on behalf of their organization.

Endorsements by individuals must contain the full name and city of residence of the individual and a valid email address where the individual can be reached. Endorsements by organizations must contain the full name and city of the organization, the full name and position of the individual authorized to represent the organization, and a valid email address where the individual can be reached.

Endorsements can be emailed to: endorse.declaration2014@gmail.com — the endorsement process is now closed.