SC’IȺNEW is working with Dr. Darcy Matthews and Maddie Tolmie of the University of Victoria (UVic) to investigate and address the recent, inadvertent damage to important archaeological sites at Rocky Point by the Department of National Defence (“the Department”).

The land at Rocky Point is traditionally stewarded by SC’IȺNEW and contains many significant cultural and archaeological sites, including several known ancestral burial sites. Rocky Point also houses a Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (CFAD) and is therefore subject to activity by the Department.

The Department inadvertently damaged several archeological sites at Rocky Point during a road maintenance operation in October 2024.

In response, the Department invited Elder Hank Chipps, Councillor Sheeba Sawyer, members of the SC’IȺNEW Guardians, and Matthews to visit the sites and assess the extent of the damage. The SC’ȺNEW Guardians are a team of community members, made up of Elders and Youth, that work to ensure traditional rights and practices are upheld and that the knowledge of the Ancestors and Elders is passed on to this generation and all those who follow.

After the meeting – which took place on November 19th, 2024 – Matthews and SC’IȺNEW representatives worked together to identify a plan to further assess the extent of the damage, remedy the harm caused, and reduce future harm at Rocky Point. The plan included inspection of all 21 potentially impacted sites by a Fieldwork Team including two Elders, two SC’IȺNEW youth, and two archaeologists. Dr. Matthews submitted the plan to a Department representative on February 23rd, 2025.

In June & July of 2025, the Team implemented the plan by determining and documenting the extent of the damage and assessing any disturbed soil for ancestral remains or archaeological materials. After extensive investigation, the Team determined the impact caused was minimal – affecting no more than 5 of the 21 sites – and recorded a solution to address the damage.

Now, the Team is working to restore the disturbed areas using culturally appropriate protocols as requested by SC’IȺNEW community members. Next, the Team will work together to put preventative measures in place, reducing the likelihood that this type of incident will occur again.

In a further, unrelated effort to reduce the prevalence of incidents like this one on behalf of the Department, other colonial government bodies, or private developers, Tolmie is completing research on Garry Oak ecosystems – including the one present at Rocky Point – to generate further evidence of SC’IȺNEW’s traditional stewardship of these lands.

Garry Oak ecosystems are home to many at-risk species and are traditionally stewarded by Coast Salish people. Since colonization and the consequent removal of traditional stewards from these lands, the health and prevalence of Garry Oak ecosystems have suffered greatly.

By analyzing the expanse of the Garry Oak ecosystem at Rocky Point, Tolmie hopes to compile evidence of SC’IȺNEW ancestors’ movement in and care for these ecosystems. This work has the potential to support an argument for greater protection of these areas within the colonial legal framework.

SC’IȺNEW is grateful for the partnership of Matthews, Tolmie, and the Department and looks forward to working together to protect and restore SC’IȺNEW’s traditional lands at Rocky Point.

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