Guide to the Preparation of Commemorative Integrity Statements

2.5 Resources, Values and Messages Not Related to the Reasons for Designation as a National Historic Site

Some resources, values and messages are not related to the reasons for designation. This section should contain information on these.

In applying the first element of commemorative integrity, emphasis is clearly on resources directly related to reasons for designation as a national historic site and their values. However, the CRM Policy applies to all cultural resources, as well as significant ecosystem features.

A CIS is developed to assist managers/owners in managing all the resources for which they have responsibility. The overall stewardship of a national historic site is called into question and commemorative integrity is threatened if resources not related to the reasons for designation are not managed in accordance with the CRM Policy .

The following should be included in this section of the CIS:

• resources not related to reasons for designation (both cultural and natural), with their values and objectives.
• any other values of the site not related to the reasons for designation, with their objectives.
• messages not related to reasons for designation, with their objectives.

2.5.1 Resources and Values Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

2.5.1.1 Identifying Resources Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

Section 2.2.2.1 of the CRM Policy states that "Parks Canada will establish and apply criteria to determine which resources under its jurisdiction are of this type. A resource may be included in this category by virtue of its historical, aesthetic or environmental qualities. Criteria will also give consideration to factors such as regional or local association; or provincial, territorial or municipal designations."

The identification of cultural resources not related to reasons for designation is done by a multi-disciplinary team. This ensures that a variety of perspectives are represented and a degree of consistency is achieved. This team should include representatives from all cultural resource management functions, but must have the requisite information and specialists on what is being evaluated.

The team evaluating the resources will give consideration to the evaluation done by others such as provincial, territorial or municipal designations.

Classified or Recognized Federal Heritage Buildings will automatically be considered as resources in this category, unless they meet the requirements that have been described for resources directly related to the reasons for designation as a national historic site, as per the CRM Policy .

With the exception of the evaluation of federal heritage buildings, there are no national evaluation guidelines for resources which fall into this category.

Natural ecosystem features of special significance as outlined in section 1.1.7 of the CRM Policy should also be described here.

Any resource not related to the reasons for designation, but part of the area for which the CIS is being written, should be included in this section of the CIS. In cases where such resources are numerous, they should be presented in a way which does not overwhelm the resources directly related to the reasons for designation as a national historic site.

2.5.1.2 Identifying Values Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

This section is used to identify those heritage values that are important for the site and have not already been dealt with elsewhere in the CIS.

2.5.1.3 Objectives for Resources and Values Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

The CIS should include a set of objectives for resources and heritage values not related to the reasons for designation. The standard objectives which are used for resources directly related to the reasons for designation, described in section 2.3.3.1, should be used.

2.5.2 Messages Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

2.5.2.1 Identifying Messages Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

This section should contain any messages not related to reasons for designation which are to be communicated at the site. All messages should be expressed in full sentences.

These messages must include:

• a message about the family of national historic sites.
• a message linking the site to other national historic sites related to it thematically or geographically.
• a message about related national historic designations of people or events.
• a message about international, provincial or municipal designations relating to the site.
• at sites administered by Parks Canada, a message stating that these sites belong to all Canadians.

2.5.2.2 Objectives for Messages Not Related to the Reasons for Designation

The following objectives should be the same for all national historic sites. These are standard for all messages and should be stated only once:

The messages not related to the reasons for designation as a national historic site are effectively communicated to the public when:

• part of the heritage presentation experience conveys the messages not related to the reasons for designation as a national historic site.
• the messages not related to the reasons for designation as a national historic site and their presentation do not overwhelm or detract from the presentation and understanding of the site's national historic significance.
• visitors understand the messages not related to the reasons for designation as a national historic site.
• management decisions are based on adequate and sound information and are made in accordance with the principles and practice of the CRM Policy.