A plan to move forward with the long-awaited reconstruction of Richmond’s First Nations Bunkhouse was passed by city council last month.
In a report presented to city council in mid-February, city staff shared more details about the reconstruction project at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, including an estimated completion date of 2027, and were asked to investigate the historical use of the building.
“The replica will be constructed utilizing a similar methodology to the existing building…It will have the same dimensions and exterior aesthetic as the original building. As much of the original building materials as possible will be salvaged for reuse,” noted the report.
The reconstructed building will be used for exhibits and interpretative programs to showcase the history of Indigenous peoples in Richmond and educate people about Indigenous culture, according to city staff. First Nations will be involved in the bunkhouse restoration process, the report added.
In 2021, Coun. Chak Au proposed looking into restoring the First Nations Bunkhouse, which is believed to have been built in the 1890s. He told the Richmond News he's happy to see progress being made.
“I hope we can move forward with the project as soon as possible. Anything involving costs is going to be more expensive with time,” said Au.
“Richmond has been very multicultural from the beginning. The First Nations bunkhouse is a symbol of the presence of First Nations in Richmond, and we can put it into good use as an education centre for that part of the city's history.”
Historical use of the bunkhouse to be investigated
One of the next steps for city staff is to investigate the actual historical use of the First Nations Bunkhouse building.
Harold Steves, chair of the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site Society and former city councillor, said the building may have been a smokehouse or longhouse instead of a bunkhouse.
He cited what archaeologist Len Ham wrote in 1988 about the long building with numerous windows, “while it shares these features with other native Indian cannery dwellings, this structure is unique in that it is gable rather than shed roofed. It is more similar to the large historic smokehouses.”
“Before he died, Archaeologist Dr. Len Ham gave me his files and had me promise to try to get a proper heritage investigation of the First Nation House and nearby buildings. Present city staff are unaware of reports by Dr. Len Ham indicating the building may be a highly significant smokehouse,” wrote Steves.
He noted that "smokehouse" doesn't mean a place for smoking fish; rather, it's a longhouse with vents in the roof to let out smoke from cooking. It is also known as a rancheria, according to Steves.
In December 2023, council approved the 2024 capital budget which included $6.5 million to build a replica of the First Nations Bunkhouse. Once the engagement and design process is completed, construction can begin simultaneously with the Phoenix Seine Loft reconstruction, according to city staff.
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