Around 240,000 artifacts discovered at an archaeological location in Moose Jaw, Sask., are shedding light on the extensive human history in the Wakamow Valley. The latest findings were presented by archaeologists at the Moose Jaw library recently.
Bill Strongarm, a senator from the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, expressed satisfaction with the discovery of the site and its artifacts, emphasizing its sacred significance. The site served as a campsite for the Saulteaux and Assiniboine tribes en route to the Cypress Hills in southwest Saskatchewan, where they likely rested, replenished food supplies, and some may have stayed during the winter.
These artifact findings represent a fraction of the narratives awaiting further exploration regarding Indigenous communities, with Strongarm advocating for the establishment of a heritage center to safeguard the area. Strongarm hopes that the artifacts will help unveil more stories about how Indigenous populations adapted to their surroundings.
Alan Kojejbo, a senior archaeologist at Respect Heritage Consulting, mentioned that archaeologists were called in due to an impending highway construction near the site. The artifacts found encompass both pre- and post-European contact periods, indicating human activity in the region for over 12,000 years.
The artifacts include stone and bone tools like projectile points, scrapers, awls, knives, and some crafted from bison bones. Notably, the site exhibits evidence of plant cultivation and pottery, with pottery materials initially thought to be from Missouri but later traced to southern Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota. Microscopic analysis of plant residue on the artifacts revealed the presence of wild rice, beans, corn, and squash, suggesting a combination of food cultivation and gathering, a unique feature possibly exclusive to Saskatchewan.
Further research is required to address queries such as the origin of corn and beans at the site – whether they were traded or cultivated locally. The artifacts have been transferred to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum for extensive study, offering insights into the site’s history and the endurance of Indigenous communities over time.
Both Strongarm and Kojejbo expressed pride in the discoveries, emphasizing the heritage value and the opportunity to delve deeper into the rich history of the area.