Abstract:

Since 1986, the Sechelt Indians of British Columbia have been the only recognized self-governing aboriginal group in Canada. They achieved this state by excluding themselves from the constraints of the Indian Act. The Sechelt Indian Self-Govemment Act (1986) transferred to the Sechelt the powers to make by-laws at the local level without having to defer issues to the federal government. Although archaeology is not explicitly included as a subject for local control, nevertheless the means exist for the Sechelt govemment to begin the process of managing the cultural legacy of Sechelt lands. In the absence of any overriding federal legislation that specifically addresses heritage management, it is within the power of the Sechelt council to begin the task of creating by-laws that address heritage protection. The purpose of this paper is to examine sections of this act to interpret its meaning for heritage management and to discuss the implications of the stature for archaeoIogy.