(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC News)

By Curtis Goodrum

PROPERTY RIGHTS

No resolution in sight for owner of North Shore property that has become archeological site

Jan 20, 2026 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – In June of 2025, a North Shore landowner started the process of turning their property into a garden.

A landscaper started work on his site but after his second dig, two skulls were found. Work stopped and the lot has been vacant ever since.

“They conclude that these skulls are aboriginal and work stops. Tk’emlups claims this is a sacred site. Slide into two-and-a-half months where I cannot get any of those people to contact me or communicate with me,” said Christine Elliot, the landowner’s lawyer.

The landowner claims they were given an $80,000 bill related to the archeological work, which they refuse to pay. Getting updates has been difficult.

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The property owner’s lawyer says remote access to archeological data — also known as a ‘RAAD’ search — took months to get.

“The only people who can access the registry are the government, First Nations and registered archaeologists. Now that I know this thing is there and now I know the consequences of finding something, I now have to hire a registered archeologist to do a search before I look at the property,” said Elliot.

The lawyer claims she’s already advised other clients to avoid properties with archeological sites in the area because of the potential complications.

“As it stands today, right now, Tk’emlups claims it as a sacred site, I think, based on the archeologist’s report, that those skulls came in with some type of fill from some type of construction project and are not part of the intrinsic land underneath as an archeological site,” said Elliot.

Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc sent a statement to CFJC News on Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 20).

“The discovery of ancestral remains is not a matter of property or debate, rather it is a matter of responsibility. These are our relatives and our laws and cultural protocols obligate us to care for them with dignity and respect,” said Kúkwpi7 Rosanne Casimir.

The BC government in an emailed statement, added:

“Property owners, realtors, etc. can proactively request information about the archaeological potential/status of a property, free of charge. In 2025, the Archaeology Branch responded to 4,329 information requests for archaeological data on 5,337 parcels of land.”

Those looking to make an archeological request can do so here and the application form is here.