Place-Conscious #e4d3c5

Project:
Central Park
English 10 E- Bella Robles
 Table of Contents

1 2
Land Acknowledgements Personal Reflection

3 4
History / Research Artifact / Oral
 PART A: Land
Acknowledgement
 Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that Central Park in Burnaby, BC, is located on the
traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish
peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

For many years, the Coast Salish peoples have spent their time and
effort into nurturing and sustaining the natural environment. The
trees, ponds, and wildlife of this area have been protected for
countless generations.

The existence of Indigenous peoples in this area is symbolised by

Central Park. We respect the continuous ties that exist between the
Coast Salish Nations and their ancestral lands and acknowledge the
continued significance of this territory for their way of life.
PART B: Personal
Significance
 Personal Significance
Trails Sports Stadium + Tennis Courts
Since I used to live near Central Park, Swangard Stadium was a place that hosted
I would often be seen in the trails. I events such as cross country and track
would use the park as a route to my and field. As a young athlete, this was
friend’s house. I would also embark on a place where I was able to demonstrate
thrilling bike rides along the trails my skills. Another place in Central Park
with my dad, our laughter echoing that holds a special memory is the
through the woods as we faced many tennis courts. I spend my childhood
routes that seem to impossible to go there, being taught by my dad and his
through. On other occasions, my mom local tennis friends. Together, we were
would lead me on trail walks where we all one big family who shared many
would spend more time soaking in the memories. Although I stopped playing
beautiful plants and animals around us. tennis, I will always remember the times
These trails became the bond between the my dad would patiently guide me through
relationship with both my family and all the steps and motions.
friends.
 Personal Significance
Playground + Picnics Field
There was a playground and picnic area In the corner of the park, there’s a
hidden in Central Park. Every year, plain field that is used for many
almost without fail, my dad’s side of things. For me, the field became a place
the family would come from different where I would gather friends to play
places for an annual summer picnic at grass volleyball, strengthening my
this very spot. As someone with no passion for the game. Additionally, I
siblings, it felt thrilling to be able also sparked an interest for the
to play with relatives close to my age. throwing aspect of track and field. With
There were games of intense tag or water no houses or trees in the way, I was
fights until all of us were completely able to practice my throwing without
soaked. The annual picnic wasn’t only harming anyone in the process. That
just a gathering, it was also a way to field became more than just a place to
celebrate an unbreakable bond that will host games, it gave me the passion to
forever run in my family. pursue both volleyball and track and
field, even to this day.
PART C: History
/ Research
 History / Research
Land Coast Salish Peoples
Central Park was founded in Coast Salish Peoples,
1891. The park is on 3883 including First Nations from
Imperial St, Burnaby, BC. It Lower Mainland and
contains greenery, ponds, Washington, BC, share
streams, trails, and areas distinct customs,
for sports (more about traditions, and languages,
sports mentioned later). The fostering strong ethnic and
park is on the land of the cultural ties with other
Coast Salish Peoples, nations along British
including the Musqueam, Columbia's Northwest Pacific
Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Coast.
Nations.
 Timeline of Indigenous Peoples
18th Century:
Treaty-Making

October 7, 1763: 1870s-1990s:

Royal Proclamation Residential
of 1763 Schools

(As there’s no direct connection between Central

Park and Indigenous groups, I chose to do the
timeline with general events instead)
 Timeline Explained
Royal Proclamation Treaty Residential Schools
The Government of Canada
The Royal Proclamation Treaties have been an
funded and operated
of 1763 established important part of
residential schools for
the relationship Canada's development
Indigenous children in
between First Nations since the 18th century,
the 1870s, with the aim
and the Crown, based on diplomatic ties
of removing and isolating
acknowledged First between Indigenous
them from their families
Nation rights in peoples and European
and cultures. 150,000
Canada, and laid the settlers. These
First Nations, Inuit and
groundwork for diplomatic negotiations
Métis children were
treaties to expand led to the present-day
removed and separated
Canada's territory. comprehensive claims
from their families and
agreements between the
communities to attend
Crown and Indigenous
these schools. The last
peoples.
federally run school
closed in the late 1990s.
 Treatment of Indigenous Peoples: Then
According to the independent review into Indigenous-specific
discrimination in the province's health-care system, there is a lot
of racism that affects Indigenous people in British Columbia. This
widespread racism frequently has a negative impact on how they are
treated at the point of care, leads to unequal medical care, causes
them physical harm, and even results in death. A reason they have
lived this way for generations due to the corrupt government who
discriminated them in the first place and attempted to cover up all
of the wrongdoings they have caused to Indigenous groups.
 Treatment of Indigenous Peoples: Now
The TRC published a list of 94 recommendations in 2015 in an effort to
"redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian
reconciliation." We have concentrated on the following calls to action out of
those:

● #43 To fully adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.
● #47 To repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over
Indigenous peoples and lands.
● #55 To provide annual reports and any current data to the National Centre
for Reconciliation to report reconciliation progress.
● #57 To provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal
peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools. This
will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict
resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
 Treatment of Indigenous Peoples: Now #2
● #75 As applicable, developing and implementing strategies and procedures
for the ongoing protection of residential school cemeteries. This
includes the provision of appropriate memorial ceremonies and
commemorative markers to honour the deceased children.
● #77 To work collaboratively with the National Centre for Truth and
Reconciliation to identify and collect copies of all records relevant to
the history and legacy of the residential school system.
● #87 In collaboration with Aboriginal peoples, sports halls of fame and
other relevant organizations, to provide public education that tells the
national story of Aboriginal athletes in history.
● #88 To take action to ensure long-term Aboriginal athlete development and
growth and continued support for North American Indigenous Games.

In addition to the recommendations, the City of Burnaby has created a

guidebook called “Indigenous history in Burnaby”. The purpose of this resource
guide is to educate us on the culture of Indigenous Peoples before settlers
came along.
PART D: Artifact
/ Oral
- Nature’s Plea -
B
y Bella
Robles

“Nature’s gentle
plea,

Save her from

demise, we must,

Life’s breath in
our hands”
 Resources / References
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/list?q=central+park%2C+burnaby&p=1&ps=50&sort=date+desc&repository_facet=Burnaby+Villag
e+Museum
https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/viewer?file=%2Fmedia%2Fhpo%2F_Data%2F_BVM_Library%2FCall%2520Number%2F971.133
%2520BUR.pdf#page=1&search=central%20park,%20burnaby%20bc%20indigenous&phrase=false
https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/diversity-and-inclusion/indigenous-peoples-and-reconciliation
https://www.burnaby.ca/sites/default/files/acquiadam/2021-08/Indigenous%20History%20in%20Burnaby%20Resource%20Guide.pdf
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020HLTH0330-001976#:~:text=Indigenous%20people%20in%20British%20Columbia,health%2Dca
re%20system%20has%20found.
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/indian-act#:~:text=On%2031%20March%201960%2C%20portions,the%20Indian
%20Act%20was%20removed.
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100015657/1571589032314
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013778/1607903934135
https://www.impac5.ca/partners-and-organizers/host-governments/host-first-nations/musqueam/
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/coastal-salish
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park_(Burnaby)#:~:text=These%20include%20downy%20woodpeckers%2C%20towhees,home
%20to%20crawfish%20and%20minnows.
https://www.burnaby.ca/explore-outdoors/parks/central-park
(all photos in this slideshow were taken personally by Bella Robles)