A few weeks ago, I attended a moving event hosted by Islands Trust, hosted on Gabriola Island, which began with a powerful opening by Snuneymuxw Elders. The gathering centered on xexe (utmost sacred) tumuxw (world, earth, dirt, red ochre, land), emphasizing the critical importance of respecting burial sites—sacred spaces often threatened by development—while exploring the broader necessity of land protection.
The event featured a screening of Dust and Bone, a documentary sharing Coast Salish teachings on death, burial, and the vital role of grave diggers in caring for departed ancestors. One of the film’s most heartbreaking segments revisited the story of Grace Islet, off Salt Spring Island. A wealthy landowner began constructing a home directly atop burial sites, despite clear requests from First Nations to preserve this sacred resting place. The documentary revealed plywood boxes built over rock cairns graves to accommodate the construction, with the house erected immediately above them. This stark example highlights a troubling reality: many settlers view the discovery of burial sites as an inconvenience rather than an opportunity for respect and reconciliation. In some cases, such discoveries are even concealed to prevent interruptions to construction, perpetuating a cycle of erasure and disregard. This level of dehumanization for ancestors—laid to rest with love and reverence—was deeply unsettling and underscored the ongoing systemic disrespect for Indigenous burial grounds, in sharp contrast to the care afforded Western cemeteries.
For me, this experience was a profound reminder that we all live on stolen land. These spaces only appear “unoccupied” because of the forced removal of First Nations and their confinement to reserves.
Despite the heartbreaking realities shared, I left the event with a sense of hope. The room was filled with non-Indigenous attendees eager to learn how to honor cultural sites. They asked questions about what to do when artifacts or bones are found, who to contact, and how to show proper respect. This kind of curiosity and willingness to engage is a meaningful step in the right direction.
Right now, we’re in a critical moment of reckoning as settlers increasingly confront the truth of the stolen lands we occupy. Honoring these lands means understanding their history, respecting burial sites, and safeguarding the cultural spaces that remain. Let us continue to learn, reflect, and act with humility, striving to support Indigenous rights and protect the sacred.
Comments