Heritage

HERITAGE

The objectives of the CHN's Culturally Modified Tree (CMT) Program are to
survey, identify, map, buffer, document, monitor, and protect CMTs and other
archaeological sites. This program contributes to the decision making of the
CHN Forest Guardians Program.

In accordance with the Constitution of the Haida Nation, Article 8, Mandate
and Responsibilities for the Council of the Haida Nation, the CMT Program
is designed to protect Haida Heritage and Cultural Properties, Haida Nation
Territories, and Resources. Article 8 Section 3 states: "CHN shall perpetuate
Haida heritage and cultural identity and will enact Policies for the same."

CMT's are of cultural, spiritual, ceremonial, archaeological, and historical
importance. They provide evidence of Haida Title and Rights by proving a
continued relationship with the land and are designated by the Haida Nation
as "Haida Heritage Sites." CMT's are protected whether they occur singly
or in a group, and are not to be defaced in any manner. This includes
sampling for archaeological studies.

Triangular Bark StrippingRectangular Bark Board

Standing Planked Tree Stump with felled log

Test Hole Stump with partially
shaped canoe

Other types of CMTs include pitch removal scars, felled logs with planks
removed, and trail marker CMTs. Culturally Modified Trees can be Western
Red Cedar, Yellow Cedar, Western Hemlock, Pacific Yew, and Sitka Spruce.

As the proposed logging plans are created, the CMT Coordinator will identify
areas that require CMT surveys. All CMT surveys on Haida Gwaii are conducted
by the CHN CMT Program who provide experienced field technicians. The field
technicians also document other archaeological sites such as middens and old
village sites.

Buffer zones around CMT's are established on a case-by-case basis.
The Council of the Haida Nation CMT Survey Crew and the logging company's
engineers work together to establish buffer zones around CMT's. A rule of
thumb is 50 meters, using the CHN CMT Buffer Zone Assessment Criteria.
Where possible, the buffer zones will be incorporated into Wildlife Tree Patches
and into the standing forest adjacent to the block.

Buffer Zone Assessments are prepared by the CHN CMT Engineer and
identifies criteria used for setting a Buffer Zone Boundary. This includes
but is not limited to:

Potential Wind Throw Conditions;

• Hydrology Conditions;

• Drainage Conditions;

• Surrounding Vegetation;

• Potential Impact of Human Activity;

• Interconnectivity and Relationships to Surrounding Area; and,

• Age of Forest in the Area.

The Coordinator of the CHN CMT Program is Karen Church who can be
contacted at: cmt@haidanation.ca

This information was taken from the CMT Program Manual from August 2001,
and the Operational Guidelines as of March 15th, 2002.