Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites

Application Form

Please use Parks Canada’s Information Document – Updating Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites as a reference in the completion of this application form.

Check to confirm that you have submitted the following documents with your application form:  Signed letter of consent by landowner  Letters of support by community members and stakeholder organizations (encouraged but not required; these can be submitted up until April 30, 2017)  Supporting photos and images (maximum of 10)  Map of site

By submitting this completed form, you authorize Parks Canada to collect, use, disclose and otherwise manage the personal information and materials (e.g. statements, text, photos) you provide. Further, you warrant, covenant and agree that to the extent the completed form includes the personal information of third parties, you have the consent of those third parties to disclose the personal information to Parks Canada for the purpose of collecting, using, disclosing and otherwise managing the personal information and materials. You agree that you have received consent from all identified people in submitted photos  for Parks Canada to collect, use, disclose and otherwise manage the photos. The personal information and materials you submit will be used only for the purposes of reviewing the application for Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites and will be protected pursuant to the Privacy Act. For more information on personal information banks related to the Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate of Parks Canada, please refer to InfoSource, which is a Government of Canada publication available in major libraries, at government information offices and from the constituency offices of federal Members of Parliament, or contact the program at [email protected].

X Date Applicant Name Printed Applicant Signature Print, sign and send your application to: [email protected] by January 27, 2017 Deadlines The final deadline for receipt of applications is January 27, 2017.

At the request of applicants, Parks Canada will review individual applications submitted by December 16, 2016 to ensure all information is complete, and respond to proponents by January 06, 2017.

Additional information related to engagement with Indigenous communities (Section 5C), local communities and stakeholders, INFORMATIONincluding letters of support (Section 5D), can be submitted ONLY up until April 30, 2017.

OFFICE USE: Application number Date of Receipt Application number Date of Receipt

PART A – APPLICANT INFORMATION Name Lord Mayor Patrick Darte Title and Organization Council of the Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (if applicable) Mailing Address 1593 Four Mile Creek Road, Town Administration Offices PO Box 100, Virgil, L0S 1T0

C/O Craig Larmour, Director of Community and Development Services Email [email protected] Telephone 1-905-468-3061 x243 Preferred language of English communication (English/French)

PART B – SITE INFORMATION Site name Niagara-on-the-Lake Cultural Landscape Location / Address Municipality of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Geographic coordinates (latitude As per http://maps.cga.harvard.edu/gpf/ : & longitude or UTM) From: 43.15, -79.04 To: 43.25, -79.12

Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 PART C – HERITAGE VALUES FOR WHICH THE SITE IS PROPOSED Section 1 – Identification of the Site Section 1A - Indicate category: 45-47  Natural X Cultural  Mixed (Cultural and Natural) X Cultural Landscape

Section 2 – Description and History Section 2A – DescriptionINFORMATION of Site (maximum 200 words) ONLY Provide a brief description of the proposed site, including its main heritage features and relevant geographic characteristics. The main focus should be on those features which are relevant to its Outstanding Universal Value.

1 The procedures, criteria and requirements for the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List are prescribed in the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1

The Proposed Heritage Site is framed by Lake Ontario (north), the (east) and Escarpment (south) and the limestone sub-strata and plain of the northern shelf of the Niagara Peninsula. The site has a unique inter-lake climate in combination with rich soils that have supported Carolinian Forest and agricultural land use over time. The site is a continuous cultural landscape of open spaces, forest groves, and steep ravines that feed into the Niagara River. The proximity of Niagara Falls and Gorge (neither included) presents a natural feature that focussed human activity into this site. There are several detached cultural resource components that also form part of the site. Within the site there are numerous archaeological and built heritage cultural resources that depict different stages of human use and adaptation of this unique natural environment. The site retains its original land form and the settlement and land use pattern remains discernable as cultural landscape features. Built heritage resources include both civil and military architecture that depict the human use of the landscape over several centuries. Archaeological resources relate to the use of the landscape by indigenous peoples over the span of ONLYmillennia.

Period: 11,000 BCE to 1871 CE (198 words)

Section 2B – History and Development of the Site (maximum 200 words) Provide a brief history of the proposed site, including significant events and the development of its major heritage features.

The Great Lakes create a natural transportation route into the heart of North America. This route has been used for millennia by indigenous peoples and Europeans for transportation, access to natural resources, and economic and social development. Niagara Falls creates a natural barrier to water-based transportation. Portage routes and railroads were created to facilitate continuation of the water route to the North American interior.

The Great Lakes presented a natural barrier to land-based east–west transportation except the natural land bridge of the Niagara peninsula. The narrow Niagara River could be easily crossed below Niagara Falls and its formidable Gorge.

This east–west and north–south axis of transportation led to the occupation and use of the site for millennia by indigenous people and Europeans. In the 17th and 18th centuries, driven by international conflicts, and then the American Revolution, the site became a refuge and safe haven for dispossessed peoples fleeing war and oppression, facilitated by this axis of water and land transportationINFORMATION routes. The site became a destination for immigrants seeking new opportunities, freedom and peace.

In the 19th century the same routes provided opportunities for escaped slaves from the United States to find refuge (Underground Railroad). (199 words)

Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 Section 3 – Proposed Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) Section 3A – Justification for adding the Site to Canada’s Tentative List 49-53 Propose why the site may have Outstanding Universal Value. OUV encapsulates why the site is of importance to all humanity. The description should summarize the main attributes which demonstrate the site’s OUV. It should be written with careful reference to the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention. (maximum of 200 words)

The Niagara-on-the-Lake Cultural Landscape has Outstanding Universal Value because:

1. It is a unique geographic, geological and climatic region of the Great Lakes Basin in North America. The intersection of the Great Lakes by the Niagara Peninsula and Escarpment formed an effective land bridge across the basin, creating a crossroads through which people moved for millennia, using natural resources,ONLY the land and the waters of the Great Lakes Basin for sustenance and livelihood.

2. The cultural landscape provides evidence of human movement and occupation over the span of time. Human experience in this landscape was driven by complex social interactions and international geo-political forces. Indigenous occupation dates to 10,000 BCE and demonstrates the dynamic interaction between indigenous peoples. Post-contact European occupation was the direct result of European global expansion, the conflicts between empires, and the emergence of the United States of America and Canada as nations.

3. Refugees from these inter-group and international conflicts found safe haven within this cultural landscape. Over time, diverse peoples found refuge, security, livelihood and peace here. This process continues today in an evolving cultural landscape that retains protected cultural evidence of the human experience within the landscape. (196 words)

Section 3B – Proposed Outstanding Universal Value by criteria 77-78 State which one or more of the 10 criteria for Outstanding Universal Value are being proposed for this site and describe briefly why each was chosen. *Refer to Parks Canada’s Information Document – Updating Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites or the Operational Guidelines for the definition of each criterion.

World X Why was this criterion chosen? (max 50 words) Heritage INFORMATION criterion (i)

(ii)

(iii) Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1

(iv) X Cultural landscape illustrates several distinct stages in human history: 1. Occupation and use by indigenous peoples. 2. Exploration and economic development of North America by Europeans in the 17th and 18th centuries. 3. Struggle for European hegemony over the North American continent in the 18th and 19th centuries. 4. Emergence and development of nation states in North America. (50 words)

(v) X ONLY The land use and human settlement by vulnerable settlers and cultures in this Cultural Landscape has been in a protected and beneficial environment, for each migratory stage, in periods of irreversible life changes. Each settlement and land use has built upon those traditions and heritage that have gone before. (49 words)

(vi)

(vii)

(viii)

(ix)

(x)

79-86 Section 3C – Authenticity of the site (*for cultural criteria only) Describe the authenticity of the site. Authenticity concerns the measure of how well and how truthfully a site’s features express potential OUV. (maximum of 100 words)

The site includesINFORMATION representation of the geography, geology, watercourses and ecology of the natural landscape, and its human transformation and interaction that are fundamental to the cultural landscape. The cultural landscape, while still vital and evolving, includes cultural resources with protected heritage values that authentically preserve evidence of the human experience within the landscape. The interplay between natural and cultural elements of the site is still observable and understandable. The evolution of the cultural landscape has been documented through research and mapping, which is now included in Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 the historical record of the landscape. (93 words)

Section 3D – Integrity of the site (for both cultural and natural criteria) 87-95 Describe the integrity of the site. Integrity is a measure of the completeness or intactness of the features that convey proposed OUV. Key areas to consider are wholeness, adequate size, and absence of threats. (maximum of 100 words)

The site possesses a high level of integrity. The site is of adequate size to represent the cultural landscape of the area. Within the site’s cultural landscape are built heritage and archaeological resources that maintain heritage values and represent the stages of human history illustrated by the site. There are no major threats to the retention of integrity over time. Much of the property is owned by heritage agencies, mandated to protect heritage values. ONLY (74 words)

Section 3E –Indicate what distinguishes this site from other similar heritage properties around the world, including other properties on the World Heritage List? Give details on its significance in relation to a maximum of 5 properties of comparable heritage value found worldwide. (maximum of 400 words) Niagara-on-the-Lake Cultural Landscape site evolved through several distinct stages. The first was formed by geology, watercourses, ecology and early settlement by nomadic indigenous people that had created and benefitted from natural barriers, both east-west (the Niagara River) and north south (the ) from 11,000 BCE. In

16th/mid-19th centuries, human resettlements by refuge-seeking migrants came from eastern population centres. Indigenous Neutral settlements of 16th/17th centuries were overrun by Iroquois to the east. By mid-18th century Britain controlled Niagara. The American Rebellion resulted in the Niagara River becoming a border, and site offered shelter to Loyalist and European émigré refugees. With nation-state sovereignty recognition resolved in the , political and economic refugees continued to be attracted to Niagara and points west by available land and good soil suitable for vegetables, tender fruit and vineyards. Its defence became key to future sovereignty and cultural identity of Canada as an independent nation. Up to the American Civil War, escaped slaves and vulnerable free people sought refuge in Niagara. Thereafter, Confederate politicians and generals lodged themselves on site, refugees until their pardons. This cultural landscape site, visited today by 3 million/year, was central North America’s epicentreINFORMATION for refugees for over 400 years. It was the “Lesvos” of this part of the Northern Hemisphere. Its unique geography and landscape have been the crucible for an emerging nation’s cultural melding, freedom and independence. 20th- century WHS designations were mostly urban, village and structure "built-heritage" oriented to one culture and/or tradition. In Canada, quite different from Lunenburg, Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 Niagara is the best surviving rural example of planned British colonial settlement, retaining its multi-cultural heritage and 18th-century rectangular grid-pattern landscape. Unlike any other WHS designation, this site was critical to the growth and survival of a nation. The five closest designations are: (a) Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, South Africa – crossing of north/south and east/west routes, and control point for trade and settlement, as Niagara; (b) Samarkand – Crossroad of Cultures, Uzbekistan – urban crossroad and melting pot of world cultures, compared to rural landscape in Niagara; (c) Garrison Border Town of Elvas, Portugal – guarding key border crossing between two nation states. Elvas had bulwarked defence, Niagara had natural defence; (d) La Morne Cultural Landscape, Mauritius – shelter for runaway slaves, maroons, in small settlements on site, as Niagara; (e) Fertö / Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape, Austria/Hungary – meeting place of different cultures over many years in varied rural landscape, as Niagara. (396 words) ONLY

Section 3F –Identify whether the site addresses a particular gap or under-represented 54-59 area or theme on the World Heritage List. *Note this is not a requirement, but evidence that a site helps address a gap in the World Heritage List can help substantiate the relevance of your application.

The site is unique and is not a duplication of any other Canadian site on the World Heritage List. Thematically, there is minor overlap with the WHS, but the site represents an earlier era of the theme than does the Rideau. The site’s relevance to several stages of human history, its unique natural structure and the qualities of the cultural landscape make it a unique candidate for Canada’s Tentative List, and potentially for the World Heritage List. It addresses themes related to refugees, indigenous peoples, freedom from oppression and peace. (92 words)

Section 4 – State of Conservation Section 4A –Describe the current state of conservation of the site, including details on any potential environmental or development threats to the site, or risks presented by natural disasters. Indicate any mitigation measures in place for the threats identified. (maximum of 200 words) INFORMATION The site’s state of conservation is good to high. The landscape is highly valued for its cultural and historical associations, as well as for its aesthetic and recreational values. Over 90% of the landscape is owned and managed by heritage agencies or the Town of Niagara-on-the- Lake. Private properties that may be included in the final nomination retain strong heritage values and are actively maintained to protect these values by their owners. Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 The only potential threat to the site’s values is residential development, which is occurring in the general area and potentially on some adjacent lands. Generally, there is adequate regulation to protect the site’s OUV from these developments. The heritage agencies and the Town have legislation, policies and management plans – federal, provincial or municipal, as appropriate - that are used to ensure the protection of the site’s cultural resources and values. (141 words)

Section 5 – Protection and Management Section 5A - Demonstrate how the property has adequate long-term legislative, 98 regulatory, institutional and/or traditional protection. If protection measures are not currently in place, indicate what protection mechanism will be afforded the property in the near future, and include a supporting letter from the relevant authority. (maximum of 100 words) ONLY

The property is protected under legislation, regulation and policies of the federal, provincial and municipal governments. This existing legal protective regime provides fully acceptable levels of protection over time. Specific measures include:

The Parks Canada Agency Act, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada Act, the Niagara Escarpment Act, the Act, the Official Plan and Comprehensive Bylaws of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Parks Canada’s management plan for its National Historic Sites, the Cultural Resource/Heritage Management policies of Parks Canada. Niagara Parks Commission is currently reviewing their heritage sites, and so represents an Ongoing Study Area. (97 words)

Section 5B - List the principle owners or competent authorities of the site. As an annex, include a letter from the site owner indicating their consent for this submission. (maximum of 100 words) *For sites with multiple landowners, such as urban complexes, provide a breakdown of the number of individual legal property parcels with information on zoning (i.e. commercial vs residential). In this case, the letter of support should come from the relevant governing jurisdiction. INFORMATION Proposed Heritage Site Property Owners: • The Corporation of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake • Government of Canada – Parks Canada • Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority • Congregation of St. Mark’s Church Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1

Niagara Escarpment Commission with jurisdiction of some Niagara Parks Commission owned lands at Heights supports this application (see map)

• The Committee is also seeking support of: • Six Nations of the Grand River (Indigenous Community) • Delaware Nation (Indigenous Community) • Mississaugas of the New Credit (Indigenous Community) • Metis Nation of Ontario, Region 9 office (Indigenous Community) • Government of Ontario – Niagara Parks Commission ( see Ongoing Study Area – identified on site map) (99 words) ONLY Section 5C - Identify whether the site is located on Indigenous traditional territory (asserted or confirmed)*. Indicate efforts to make these Indigenous communities aware of the application, with a view towards ensuring their support. Summarize the results of these discussions, including indication of support, issues or concerns raised, and desired level of involvement in the project. * Contact Parks Canada if you require assistance in identifying whether the site is located on traditional territory (asserted or confirmed). Information regarding engagement with Indigenous communities can be submitted up until April 30, 2017.

The site was originally subject to the 1764 Treaty of Niagara, agreed to by Sir William Johnson and 24 Nations including the present-day largest Indigenous group in Canada, the Six Nations of the Grand River. The site was also subject to the Treaties of Fort Niagara in 1781 and 1787. The treaties transferred possession of a narrow four-mile strip of land along the Niagara River's western shore, as well as established the relationship that was supposed to be honoured by the new settlers moving into what would become Canada.

The nearby Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812 served as an extraordinary expression of historic alliances that extended back generations and marked an essential moment in the emergence of a fledgling country whose borders and character were being tested and defined. The community of Niagara-on-the-Lake continues to show great reverence for the leadership provided by indigenous warriors who were largely responsible for the successful defence of Loyalist lands. An important mark of respect for this sacrifice and contributionINFORMATION is shown in the new Landscape of Nations memorial (see photo). With the support of Parks Canada’s Indigenous Affairs, letters of support are being solicited from several indigenous communities for this application. See also Section 5B.

Section 5D –List any community groups and/or major stakeholders with an interest in the site and provide a brief summary of their views regarding its proposed inclusion on the Tentative List. Summarize any discussions you’ve had with your provincial / territorial Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 parks or heritage department regarding your application. (maximum of 200 words) *Please annex any related letters of support (encouraged but not required). Information regarding community and stakeholder interest, including letters of support, can be submitted up until April 30, 2017.

The UNESCO Committee of the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is in continuing discussion with those organizations listed in the Proposed Heritage Site in Section 5B. Other voices are heard through the letters of support, submitted with this application. The private properties in the Committee’s Study Area are excluded. In the Ongoing Study Area, the Committee continues to work with Niagara Parks Commission, as their current review of heritage properties continues, with the intention that they would provide a letter of support. The Committee is also in dialogue with Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament. ONLY The Town has also held two Public Meetings at which presentations were given and Q&A sessions held – on 16 & 29 November 2016 in the Community Centre; the responses from the public were favourable and some have provided letters of support. The Town has issued a Press Release, which was picked up by Niagara This Week newspaper: “NOTL seeks support for World Heritage Site bid”; the Committee continues to receive positive feedback from these initiatives to enhance public awareness. (173 words)

Section 5E –Describe whether a management plan is in place, or how it would be 108-118 developed that specifies how the Outstanding Universal Value of the property would be protected, presented and transmitted to future generations. (maximum of 100 words)

There are several different existing management plans in place under the authority of the agencies that own, or have jurisdiction over, the property. In combination, they cover all of the Proposed Heritage Site. The Proposed Heritage Site covers those properties specifically identified in Section 5B.

If placed on the Tentative List, a document integrating these management plans will be developed in consultation with the owning agencies and individual property owners to articulate protection strategies, public education programs and a tourism marketing approach. This integrated management plan would be part of the nomination documentation presented to the World Heritage Committee. (99 words) INFORMATION Section 6- Development of a nomination dossier Section 6A –Indicate how the preparation of a World Heritage nomination dossier would be undertaken and resourced, in the event that the site is added to the Tentative List.

The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake formed a Committee to address the possibility of a World Heritage designation. This municipality has more National Historic Sites than any Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 other municipality in Canada. The Town provided seed funding of $30,000 to develop a position, collect maps of the possible Study Area and review their findings in public meetings. The Committee now has over 3,000 historical and current maps from numerous sources, and has developed a draft set of Arc-GIS maps of the Study Area. This work was done in cooperation with Niagara College. Details of all the properties within the Study Area are also known.

The Town expects to continue and support the work of this Committee in the event that the site is added to the Tentative List. This Committee includes established local historians and authors, a former member of the successful Rideau Canal WHS submission to UNESCO, an executive of the local Parks Canada operation, a Town Councillor, and the Heritage Advisor of the Town who has worked at UNESCO in Paris, France. This volunteer Committee expects to engage appropriate departments/agencies in the Federal Government, Province of Ontario and the Niagara Region to assist in the later stages of post-Tentative List process and obtain further funding from the public and private sources. ONLY

Section 7 – Documentation Section 7A – Applications can include a limited number of additional support materials beyond this completed application form. Please help ensure that the review of your application focusses on directly relevant supporting materials, which give evidence and/or reinforce the information provided in this application form. All supporting materials should be referenced in the appropriate section of this application form; identify the specific pages within the supporting materials that are critical to substantiating the relevance of the application.

Attached herewith is a four (4) page Executive Summary of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Cultural Landscape application as well as a timeline of events.

Section 8 - Maps Section 8A –Include a map of the site, with additional insert maps as deemed necessary. The map should include coordinates (latitude & longitude or UTM) and a clear boundary identification.

List of annexed items (please number)

1. Application Form 2. Letters of Consent 3. Letters ofINFORMATION Support 4. Supporting Photos and Images related to relevant subjects in the application 5. The overall map for the Proposed Heritage Site and an Ongoing Study Area of this application including landowners who have consented to have their properties included, agencies of government with jurisdiction to preserve and conserve this cultural landscape, and landowners with whom the Town’s UNESCO Committee is still in discussion with regard to heritage properties review. Reference paragraph in Operational Guidelines1 6. Documentation – Support Material including an Executive Summary and a timeline of key events.

ONLY

INFORMATION