Tse'k'wa excavation history shifted to Dane-Zaa people
Simon Fraser University has digitally repatriated excavation history and research material to the Dane-Zaa people of the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society.
Excavations at Charlie Lake cave, the “rock house” with a history dating back 12,500 years, was initially undertaken by the Burnaby-based university in the 1970s. Additional digs took place in 1983, 1990, and 1991.
SFU's digital archive includes a wide range of material on the digs, including field notes, research materials, maps, and photographs. It includes feature data sets made by researchers as well as interpretive documents which use data from all excavations both during and after.
The information repatriated to the Dane-Zaa will be used to widen public and research materials related to the original excavations.
The Doig River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, and West Moberly First Nation purchased the cave site in 2012.
Nine years later, the cave was recognized as a national historical site.
According to Garry Oker, president of the Tse'k'wa Heritage Society, the land that houses the cave has more of a deeper meaning to the Dane-Zaa people.
“Tse'k'wa is more than just a physical location. It is a sacred place that embodies our sense of place and identity,” said Oker. “Artifacts and remains discovered at the site contribute to the understanding and appreciation of Dane-Zaa people's cultural heritage.”
Tse'k'wa Heritage Society executive director Alyssa Currie says the SFU archive is a “triumphant example” of digital repatriation.
“It will greatly enhance our ability to provide access to the collection and strengthen our physical repatriation process,” said Currie.
The society has spent two years working with the B.C. Archeology branch and SFU's department of archeology to repatriate the entire Tse'k'wa collection.