Recognizing Diversity in Our Country's Past

Parks Canada has been organizing community-based workshops as a part of implementing the National Historic Sites System Plan, which is designed to help build a more representative National Commemorative Program. Three priorities of this plan have been the recognition of the contributions of women, Aboriginal Peoples and Canadian ethnocultural communities to Canadian history.

Designations of national historic significance are made by the Minister of the Environment on the advice of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada that receives nominations from organizations and individuals from across the nation. The Board is striving to ensure that this program reflects the diversity of people, places, and events that have made Canada what it is today.

Renewing History

As part of this process, Parks Canada has coordinated a series of workshops to engage participants from the three priority themes. Local communities and historical researchers cooperated with Parks Canada to identify suitable subjects for commemoration. While the efforts taking place in British Columbia are a part of a larger, Canada-wide initiative, more than 40 persons, places and events have already been nominated for commemoration by workshop participants in the western region. More than 10 have been commemorated and the remaining 30 are under active consideration.

Local Enthusiasm and National Recognition

Two notable successes to date have been the designation of Vancouver sculptor Charles Marega as a National Historic Person, and the designation of a former Chee Kung Tong building in Barkerville, British Columbia, as a National Historic Site.

Reflecting History

As a result of these efforts, together with the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, bronze plaques and other forms of commemoration will help us recognize that Canadians of diverse backgrounds have made nationally-significant contributions to the history and identity of this country.