A review of the history of Aboriginal peoples in Canada is provided from a Native perspective, with emphasis on British Columbia and on legislation and events that had impacts on North West Coast Aboriginal cultures, lifestyles and affluence. While the overall objective of the Symposium was to focus on preservation of Aboriginal objects, the author, Ya'Ya Axgagoodiit (Charles Heit), chose to situate conservation projects in the wider context for Native cultures and to present a perspective of the history behind the problems of conserving Native cultures in Canada. His highly personal presentation focuses more on human beings than on wood, leather, stones, or paints. As a First Nations person, he wants the world to know that real live people are part of the Native cultures that so many people around the world work to preserve.