Luxury resort construction leads to charges
The operators of Poets Cove Resort and Spa on Pender Island are facing charges under the Heritage Conservation Act for excavating and damaging an ancient First Nations site.
They're accused of disturbing human remains and artifacts while building the resort two years ago.
Hul'qumi'num spokesperson Robert Morales says he and a group of elders found human remains in excavated material construction when they visited the site.
"And as we walked along… we could see bones, fragmented bones all along the side," says Morales, who estimates there were hundreds of human remains and many more ancient artifacts.
The RCMP were called in to investigate. Then this past December – two years later – charges were laid.
Morales says the prosecution is important to the Hul'qumi'num people. "We feel that it is a good day for justice here in British Columbia."
Lawyers for the resort made their first appearance on Thursday in provincial court in Victoria. But so far, no plea has been entered.
Poets Cove development manager Bill Roberts says the company is continuing to work closely with local First Nations and archeologists.