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Property owner, local First Nations call for protection of archaeological site

Land, which includes an ancestral cemetary for local First Nation, was site of agri-mall proposal denied by council last year.
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This city map shows the location of a proposed agri-mall denied by council last year. The property's owner and local First Nations is calling for the provincial to protect the property

A local company and the Sumas First Nation are calling for an investigation into the government’s lack of action to protect an archaeological site.

The site, which is located off of Atkinson Road, at the base of Sumas Mountain, had previously been proposed to house the location of an agri-mall. Council denied the proposal last fall, citing a variety of factors, including the location on the outskirts of town, as well as the presence of archaeological sites.

The site’s owner, John Glazema, said he petitioned the province last year to designate the property as having historical value under the Heritage Compensation Act, which could entitle his company to compensation. But No response has yet been received.

A press conference was scheduled to be held Friday morning, with Cold Water Ranch owner John Glazema, Sumas First Nation Chief Dalton Silver and Sto:lo Nation representatives all expected to be present.

Visit abbynews.com for more from the press conference and the provincial government.



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