Suspected Musqueam artifacts found at YVR during construction

Suspected Indigenous artifacts at a Vancouver International Airport (YVR) construction site have been uncovered, the airport says.

In a release Wednesday, YVR says it has since suspended all construction activities on the southern half of Sea Island as the suspected xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artifacts are assessed.

“Musqueam – our elders, knowledge holders, and staff – will work together with YVR to do the right thing. We recognize this is an important process and are committed to continuing to walk this path together with YVR,” said yəχʷyaχʷələq Chief Wayne Sparrow.

YVR says the artifacts have been sent to a certified archaeology and heritage lab for evaluation.

The airport sits on unceded Musqueam territory, where Musqueam people have lived since time immemorial.

“This archaeological discovery demonstrates the longstanding and continued tie between Musqueam people and their ancestral territories,” YVR President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Authority Tamara Vrooman said. “For this reason, finding these artifacts is not unexpected and something we plan for together with Musqueam.

“We are committed to the protection of these artifacts and will continue to work with Musqueam to inform our current and future actions,” she added.

In 2017, the airport and Musqueam Band signed a 30-year sustainability and friendship agreement, based on “friendship and respect to achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial future for our community.”

“The agreement includes a number of scholarships and new jobs, one per cent of annual revenue share from YVR, identification and protection of archeological resources, and support for ongoing operations and long-term development at the airport,” the airport explains.