The island

Trustees hear differing views on archaeological field work

At a January meeting, K’ómoks First Nation and a Komas Ranch representative disagreed about the need for preliminary archaeological reconnaissance.

The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2025-01-30 · compiled 2026-10-01

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A K’ómoks First Nation archaeologist and a Komas Ranch property owner gave differing accounts of archaeological work and records at the properties during the Denman Island Local Trust Committee’s January 21 meeting.^[1]

The property owner said there had been three extensive archaeological digs and argued that preliminary field reconnaissance would not add new information.^[1]

The K’ómoks First Nation archaeologist said there had been no significant or extensive excavations, and that information at the BC Archaeology Branch indicated archaeologists were present on site in 1952, hydro pole replacement work took place along the road, and K’ómoks First Nation attended to rebury ancestral remains.^[1]

The minutes say the proposed reconnaissance was intended to address gaps in cultural and archaeological heritage information and help inform a heritage conservation area; the applicant supported protecting cultural heritage values but questioned the need for the work.^[1]

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