Research – Objectives

1. To undertake a systematic and thorough documentation of the history, territory, laws, knowledge, and cultural traditions of the Heiltsuk people, up to the present time.

The Centre does this by locating and acquiring copies of relevant documents, including photographs and other historical data from archives, libraries and private collections.

It also systematically records the knowledge of our present generation of elders in order to fill in the deficiencies in previously recorded documentation undertaken by researchers from outside the community, assist in interpreting and analyzing these documents, and provide an accounting and interpretation of Heiltsuk history and culture from the point of view of the Heiltsuk people.

The Centre also identifies the interrelationship between Canadian society and institutions and Heiltsuk society and culture as these developed over the past 200 years, since contact.

As well, it works at promoting or undertaking archaeological investigation and analysis within traditional Heiltsuk territories.

2. To establish a permanent record through assembling a Heiltsuk history and research archives.

3. To prepare specific materials which will summarize and analyze research data.